Innovative “Microsate” Cage Culture Systems for Livelihood and Nutritional Security: A Participatory Approach
Vikas, P A and Retheesh, T B and George, Sunny and Sanil, N K and Vijayan, K K (2010) Innovative “Microsate” Cage Culture Systems for Livelihood and Nutritional Security: A Participatory Approach. In: Innovation and Sustainable Development in Agriculture and Food, 28 June- 1 July 2010, Montpellier, France..
Abstract
Aquaculture is the fastest-growing food production sector in the world and is considered to be of vital importance_x000D_
for the livelihood and nutritional security. Here we describe an innovative “Microsate” cage fish culture model for_x000D_
alternative income generation and livelihood security of inland fisherfolks. The “Microsate” were implemented in_x000D_
the Vembanad lake close to Azhikode bar mouth along the West coast of India. The programme implementation_x000D_
have processes such as stakeholder selection, site selection, fabrication of cages, monitoring the culture_x000D_
process, harvesting and marketing of the fish. The selected male and female stakeholders members were_x000D_
trained for “Microsate” fabrication and rearing of the fish. Hatchery reared Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer) and_x000D_
indigenous Pearl spot (Etroplus suratensis) fingerlings were stocked in the cages. They were fed with pellet feed_x000D_
as well as trash fish at dawn and dusk period. After the seven months of “Microsate” culture, plate size fishes_x000D_
were harvested and sold out in the domestic market with premium price. The income generated equally divided_x000D_
among the members which was used for the second culture. The newly developed, ecofriendly microsate cage_x000D_
culture model can be used as a replicable model to_x000D_
address the livelihood insecurity of the rural fisher folk. Most importantly it acts as a means for ensured_x000D_
alternative livelihood and to culture the indigenous fish stocks which are presently overexploited and are under_x000D_
the threat of extinction. This type of food production systems can decrease the fishing pressure on indigenous_x000D_
fish species and also generate alternative income for the inland rural fishers. “Microsate” cage fish culture_x000D_
endeavor for livelihood and nutritional security of the rural fisherfolks has become a promising intervention in_x000D_
India.
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