Farmers and fisher folk in India have practiced aquaculture since time immemorial. With the advent of blue revolution, aquaculture moved into commercial lines. In the last four decades, aquaculture in India evolved as a commercial farming practice from the level of traditional backyard activity. This also meant that an environmentally sound and traditional industry transformed into an intensive production system leading to a number of environmental problems, like increased soil salinity, reduction in agricultural production, decrease in livestock production and destruction of mangrove forests. Shrimp cultivation has also negative impacts on biodiversity. In addition to the environmental effects, health and social issues have also been raised as major concerns.
We also find many farmers who adopt integrated or sustainable fish farming practices. What are the practices that farmers adopt that help in increased production while keeping their impacts on the environment low? How are these farmers managing to adopt these practices in the changing external environment? Are there any community level initiatives towards safe fish farming? Are there any supportive mechanisms or incentives for adopting sustainable aquaculture? What are the challenges in following sustainable practices in fish farming? In this issue of LEISA India, we would like to include experiences that address these issues, both at the local as well as at the national level.
Articles for the March 2019 issue of LEISA India should be sent to the editors. Email: leisaindia@yahoo.co.in before 31 January 2019.
