Indore: Madhya Pradesh's first integrated fish farming aqua park commenced operations in Khandwa district's Roshni village on Wednesday with the release of 2.5 lakh fish seeds into the park's primary tanks.
Facility Overview
Spanning 50 acres, the facility has been developed through the convergence of 10 different government schemes alongside NITI Aayog's initiatives to boost rural economy. The facility specializes in Tilapia fish brought from West Bengal, which grows from 1 to 1.25 kg within six to eight months.
Production Targets and Revenue
The project targets a monthly yield of 30 tonnes, amounting to an annual production of approximately 360 tonnes of fish. This output is projected to generate a monthly turnover of Rs 30 lakh and an annual revenue of Rs 3.60 crore. To secure market linkage and competitive pricing, the zila panchayat plans to establish a fish farmer producer organization (FFPO) to supply these fish to other districts and neighbouring states.
Advanced Rearing Systems
The facility features a step-by-step rearing system designed to reduce production costs. It comprises 14 sheltered biofloc tanks for early-stage seed rearing, a reverse aqua system tank for graded fish, and a larger biofloc pond. “One hundred and twenty modern cages will be installed in backwaters of the Aonliya dam, which has a capacity of 1,200 cubic meters,” Khandwa Collector Rishav Gupta told TOI.
Eco-Friendly Model
Zila panchayat CEO Nagarjun B Gowda said that the park operates on an eco-friendly, zero-waste model. “Nutrient-rich wastewater drained from the fish tanks serves as organic fertilizer for adjacent fruit and vegetable plantations. Concurrently, integrated duck farming provides organic matter that serves as natural feed for the fish, ensuring chemical-free production,” he said.
Community Involvement
More than 150 local women will receive technical training in aquaculture, animal husbandry, and horticulture to support the cluster's long-term sustainability. The high-tech park, inaugurated by cabinet minister Vijay Shah, will be managed by 160 members from 16 tribal women's self-help groups.
Fish Varieties to be Produced
- Pangasius in 120 cages
- Tilapia in 14 biofloc containers and 3 biofloc ponds
- Murrel in 6 RAS tanks
- Rohu and Catla as part of farm pond culture
- Freshwater pomfret after a year
- Prawn culture to start from July in pond
