Vol. 12, Special Issue 12 (2023)

Author(s):
SK Samantaray, SK Satapathy, S Ranabijuli, PK Panda, PJ Mishra, HK Sahoo and S Sahoo

Abstract:
The purpose of the study was to determine fish farmers' knowledge of scientific fish farming techniques in the Ganjam district of Odisha. The majority of fish farmers (50.8%) had a moderate degree of understanding in this area, according to the report. The knowledge of acceptable stocking rates in composite fish culture was found to be lowest (18.33%) and the highest (91.67%) among fish farmers regarding manure application in fish ponds. The majority of fish farmers who participated in the poll were middle-aged or younger, and most had only completed elementary or middle school. The majority of fish farmers showed a medium degree of inventive proneness, risk orientation, economic drive, and value orientation. They also had low to medium degrees of expertise in fish farming. Nonetheless, the majority of farmers exhibited a low degree of credit inclination. Most fish farmers showed a medium level of interest in mass media and in touch with extension agencies; however, they were not very cosmopolitan. The most important aspect that positively impacted the fish farmers' knowledge, according to the path analysis, was their propensity for innovation. It is advised that awareness campaigns, field days, demonstrations, exhibitions, Kissan Gosti, Kissan Mela, and other initiatives of a similar nature be held in order to raise the level of knowledge among fish farmers regarding scientific fish culture practices. These activities will also help to increase innovative proneness, contact with extension agencies, and participation from the mass media. Through these initiatives, fish farmers will be able to acquire the most recent information and expertise needed for productive fish farming methods.