Skip to main content
Log in

A field survey for aqua inputs used in freshwater fish farms in Andhra Pradesh, India

  • Research
  • Published:
Aquaculture International Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The aim of this survey was to investigate the latest insights on different aqua inputs available in freshwater fish farming in Andhra Pradesh, India. The present survey on the use of aqua inputs was conducted in 520 freshwater fish farms, 50 aquaculture dealer shops, and 10 manufacturing units between September 2020 and December 2022 using a prescribed questionnaire. The present study documented a total of 336 different aquaculture inputs represented by more than 50 different manufacturing and packaging units. The aquaculture inputs was dominated by disinfectants and toxin binders (29.8%), followed by feed additives and growth promoters (21.5%), probiotics (20%), unlabeled group (10.4%), pesticides (8.9%), antibiotics (5.2%), and fertilizers (4.2%). Furthermore, the present survey revealed that infectious diseases, inadequate knowledge on aquaculture practices, lack of professionals, over-the-counter sales of antimicrobials, reliance of farmers largely on peers and company representatives, inconsistency in recommending dosage, and a lack of stringent regulations are major risk factors in aquaculture. Educated and experienced farmers were aware of the risks associated with antimicrobial use. This may help to implement successful interventions towards reduced antibiotic use in freshwater fish farming in Andhra Pradesh. In addition, the present survey identified a large number of aqua inputs that are currently in use, but that require further regulations and evaluation. Hence, there is an urgent need for awareness, effective surveillance, proper diagnosis, and disease advisory services. Stringent regulation and evaluation regarding the imprudent use of antimicrobials and their environmental and human health impacts can make a significant difference in promoting sustainable aquaculture for many years to come.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

Data availability

The data of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

References

Download references

Acknowledgements

Authors are grateful to the authorities of Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies for the facilities extended for carrying out the study. Authors also acknowledge the All India Network Project on Fish Health for providing questionnaire for data collection. We are also grateful to fish farmers, feed shop dealers, and fisheries department officials for providing information and unrestricted support.

Funding

This study was part of the PhD program of the first author at the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies, Kochi, India, for which University fellowship was received.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Contributions

Kummari Suresh: planning and designing the study, data collection, analysis, result interpretation, and the writing original draft. Devika Pillai: critical evaluation and review and editing.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Devika Pillai.

Ethics declarations

Competing interests

The authors declare no competing interests.

Additional information

Handling Editor: Brian Austin

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Suresh, K., Pillai, D. A field survey for aqua inputs used in freshwater fish farms in Andhra Pradesh, India. Aquacult Int (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10499-024-01487-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10499-024-01487-3

Keywords

Navigation