On khazan land, Merces farmersets up system to grow rohu, catla

Panaji: An innovative fish culture system, developed as part of adaptive aquaculture models for khazan areas, is the highlight at Merces these days. Joaquim D’Souza, a progressive farmer and retired agriculture official, is collaborating with the Old-Goa based ICAR-CCARI to implement the project.

D’Souza managed to reduce the saline levels, adjust the pH, and make the pond conducive for sweet water fish to thrive.D’Souza, who retired in 2017, started his journey two years before his superannuation. However, nearly three-fourths of the farm was saline-affected. “My neighbours warned me that the land wouldn’t reap anything since the land doesn’t even see the growth of weeds,” he told TOI.“But I took up the challenge head-on and experimented with growing tomatoes, ladyfinger, sweet corn, sweet potato, groundnut, and moong.

The journey was full of failures for the first two years. Now, I can grow watermelons, bottle gourd, bitter gourd, sweet corn, ladyfinger, mango, cabbage, cauliflower, chili, groundnut, coconut, and three varieties of paddy—Jaya, Goa Dhan 4, and a dwarf Basmati hybrid,” he said.His efforts were noticed by the ICAR-CCARI, following which they paid him a visit. Upon their advice, he started excavating a 2m-deep pond in the saline soil in 2018 to rear fish.

He simultaneously also built bunds to further enrich his farm. “On an experimental level, we started cultivating pearl spot fish (kalundar) and giant sea perch (chonak). However, they did not perform very well. Upon the ICAR-CCARI’s recommendation, I decided to try growing freshwater river fish,” he said.He spent months working with the ICAR-CCARI scientists to correct the soil’s salinity, acidity, and pH levels.

Instead of a local fresh fish variety, in July this year, they decided to grow the fish seeds of rohu and catla (fish from the carp family).“They take eight months to grow, and each fish can weigh up to 1kg. The scientists constantly monitor the pond to ensure that the water’s acidity is in control so that conditions are healthy for the fish to grow. We are planning to harvest them in Feb 2026 based on ICAR-CCARI’s directions,” he said.Rohu and Catla are popular freshwater fish known for their large head and high, robust body. Popularly farmed in aquaculture, it is valued for its high growth rate and nutritional benefits, including protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins.“These fish are popular with North Indians, so we decided to tap the migrant market. It fetches approximately Rs 400 per kg. My vision is not short-sighted. With changing times, we must accept that Goa now has a huge migrant population, besides tourists, and it is about time that we start growing foods that are their staple,” he said.