History and Status of Aquaculture in Nepal

History of fish culture in Nepal

Since Ancient Time:  Practice of fishing 

Shree 5 RanaBahadur Shaha built 22 water taps and a pond on upper portion to culture local fish species, Sahar and Katle. 

Beginning of ornamental fish keeping to enhance the beauty of Palace and large buildings. 

Beginning of pond construction at private level to culture fish for consumption. 

 

2006 BS: Introduction of Common Carp

2016 BS: Introduction of Indian Major Carps

 

2026 BS: Beginning Polyculture and Integrated Fish Culture System

2036 BS: Beginning of Artificial Breeding of Carps

 

2046 BS: Establishment of Private Fish Hatchery and Fry Distribution

2056 BS: Beginning of Trout Fish Culture

2066 BS: Beginning of Mechanization in Aquaculture

 

2075 BS: From Agriculture Department to Livestock/Animal Department

The State of Fisheries in Nepal: A 2080/81 Statistical Overview

Agriculture is the engine of Nepal's economy, contributing approximately 23.95% to the GDP. Within this sector, fisheries are emerging as a sub-sector with high potential and double-digit growth over the last decade.

Here is a detailed breakdown of Nepal's fish production statistics, covering production, trade, employment, and consumption for the Fiscal Year 2080/81.

1. Total Production Overview

Despite limited structure and manpower, the fisheries sector has made significant strides.

• Total Fish Production: The country produced a total of 123,403 Metric Tons (Mt) of edible fish in FY 2080/81.
• Aquaculture vs. Natural Waters:
• Aquaculture (Farmed): 102,403 Mt.
• Capture Fisheries (Natural Reservoirs/Rivers): 21,000 Mt.
• GDP Contribution: The fisheries sector contributes 1.5% to the Agricultural Gross Domestic Product (AGDP) and 0.37% to the total National GDP.

2. Productivity and Land Use

• Water Surface Area: There is an estimated 8,08,500 hectares of natural and artificial water resources available for fish production.
• Pond Area: Commercial fish farming is conducted primarily in artificial ponds covering 15,644 hectares.
• Yield: The productivity of pond fish culture stands at 5.37 Mt/Ha.

3. Consumption and Availability

While production has increased, consumption remains below global standards.

• Per Capita Availability: The per capita fish availability in Nepal is 4.29 kg per year.
• Comparison: This is significantly lower than the world average of 20.5 kg per person.

4. Import, Export, and Self-Sufficiency

Nepal is nearing self-sufficiency in fish consumption, though a gap remains.

• Self-Sufficiency: Domestic production meets 96.5% of the country's total fish demand.
• Imports: To meet the remaining demand, Nepal imported approximately 4,738 to 4,886 Mt of fish from India and other countries in FY 2080/81.
• Exports: Exports remain negligible, recorded at only 270 kg for the fiscal year.

5. Employment and Household Involvement

The fisheries sector is a vital source of livelihood.

• Total Employment: Over 400,000 people have found full or partial employment through fish farming, natural water collection, and sales/distribution.
• Farmers Involved: There are approximately 178,000 farmers directly involved in pond fish farming.

6. Specific Fish Varieties and Technologies

• Pond Fisheries: This is the dominant method, contributing 82% of total aquaculture production, with the Terai region accounting for 98% of this share.
• Pangasius: Produced via high-density farming, Pangasius contributed 7,409 Mt from 297 hectares.
• Rainbow Trout: Cultivated in cold waters across 38 districts, trout farming produced 1,244 Mt.
• Seed Production: Government and private hatcheries produce approximately 59 crore fish fry annually, with the private sector contributing 76% of this production.

7. Top Producing Districts

According to the report, the districts with the highest fish production and productivity include:

1. Bara (Top Producer: 11,667 Mt)
2. Dhanusha (9,010 Mt)
3. Rupandehi (7,108 Mt)
4. Siraha (5,720 Mt)
5. Saptari (5,673 Mt)

Conclusion

The fiscal year 2080/81 statistics indicate that fisheries are an attractive and growing profession in Nepal. While the country produces over 1.23 lakh metric tons of fish and covers nearly 97% of its domestic demand, significant effort is still required to bridge the gap between Nepal's per capita consumption (4.29 kg) and the global average.