Bardia, a district in Nepal, has seen a surge in fish farming as many farmers have switched from traditional crops to commercial fishery. Badaiyatal Rural Municipality has become a new hub for fish farms in the region, with the agricultural development office implementing a "fish mission" program since 2007-2008, providing subsidies and technical assistance to attract farmers.
The availability of a ready market has enticed many farmers to invest in commercial fish farming, with more than 150 farmers involved in Badaiyatal-5 alone. The Prime Minister's Agriculture Modernization Project Implementation Unit office has been supporting fish farming on 171 hectares, with ponds dug on 250 hectares in the rural municipality. The switch to fish farming has proven to be a profitable business venture, with farmers earning double the amount compared to traditional cereal crop production in a short period of time. Despite seasonal diseases remaining a significant challenge for farmers, the Badaiyatal Rural Municipality produces about 1,320 tonnes of fish annually.
Man Bahadur Khatri, a technical assistant of the Prime Minister's Agriculture Modernization Project unit office, stated that the project has provided technical assistance and subsidies for the fishery zone, with more than 150 farmers involved in commercial fish farming in Badaiyatal-5. This initiative has helped farmers switch to fish farming, contributing to the overall economic growth of the region.
Although challenges remain, including the lack of a treatment facility for seasonal diseases, the surge in fish farming has not only brought economic benefits to farmers but has also helped meet the growing demand for fish in the region. Shobhanath Bhusal of Badaiyatal, Jagatpur, stated that traders come to take the fish from the farmers' door, providing an encouraging sign for farmers.
With government support and a ready market, it is expected that more farmers will be attracted to this profitable business venture, contributing to the overall economic growth of the region. The increase in fish farming is a positive step towards improving the livelihoods of farmers and meeting the growing demand for fish in the region.
