Aquaculture
Prabash Jena, once an owner of a paddy field on the outskirts of Behrampur village on the island, witnessed a dramatic shift in his landscape following the devastation of Cyclone Fani in 2019. The fields, once lush and fertile near the edge of Chilika Lake, were destroyed, and over time, the soil became barren and incapable of sustaining crops. Faced with these weather conditions and the changes that they bring along Jena, like many other landowners, turned to a solution: aqua farming. The infertile fields were gradually transformed into aquaculture ponds, breathing new life into the land. Over the past 4-5 years, this shift has become increasingly evident across Maensa and Behrampur, as the community adapts to the changing environmental conditions and embraces a new, sustainable agricultural practice.
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Jena, along with his family of four, is entirely supported by the profits from the fish he cultivates on his land. The process begins with him purchasing fingerlings from Gopalpur, a neighboring village on an island, making the trip twice a year at a cost of 900 rupees per journey.
After nurturing the fish for 5-6 months, they are sold to a godown in Behrampur, from where they are distributed to Balugaon. This entire cycle is repeated biannually, providing the family with their livelihood.
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Prabash meticulously manages every aspect of the aquaculture process himself, from cleaning the ponds to feeding and harvesting the fish once fully grown. Every six months, he bleaches the pond to eliminate any impurities, ensuring a clean environment for the fish. To maintain water quality, he adds chuna (lime) every 2-3 months, which helps preserve the health of the water for cultivation.
Afterward, he goes back home for dinner and then returns to the pond again for the night. While fish farming is his primary occupation, Prabhash also takes on temporary labor jobs whenever they arise. With an annual income of just 9,000 rupees, the family’s main source of livelihood comes from the labor-intensive fish cultivation, which, although modest, is enough to support a family of four.
Each week, Prabash checks the health of the fish by catching a batch to assess their condition.This diligent routine ensures a consistent and sustainable aquaculture process, enabling Prabash to maintain healthy fish and a productive pond year-round.
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The aquaculture pond, situated on the outskirts of Behrampur village, lies along the edge of the lake. Prabhash, concerned about the possibility of someone stealing the fish, sleeps in a small cabin built right next to the pond to keep a close watch over his aquafarming operations. A single fertile plot of land, left untouched after the cyclone, is now used for cashew and mango plantations, which he sells as seasonal produce.
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Every day, Prabhash collects firewood from his farm and takes it home. He then eats, prays, and bathes before returning to the pond to feed the fish.
