College of Fisheries, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary & Animal Sciences University (GADVASU) developed a low input eco-friendly integrated fish cum duck farming unit for on farm testing and demonstration. According to Dr. Asha Dhawan, Dean College of Fisheries, the parent stock of ducklings of Khaki Campbell (exotic variety of ducks) was procured from Central Poultry Development Organization (CPDO), Hessarghatta, Bangalore in the month of November, 2010 and was successfully reared under local climatic conditions. The ducks started laying eggs after attaining the age of 6 months. Trials for hatching of duck eggs were carried out at the poultry hatchery of Department of Genetics and Animal Breeding, GADVASU and success was achieved in the hatching of duck eggs, for the first time in Punjab.
According to Mr. Abhishek Srivastava, In-charge of fish cum duck farming unit, integrated fish cum duck farming is a sustainable farming technique based on recycling of livestock waste which saves total input cost of feed and fertilizers for fish farming. In this system, both fish and ducks are benefitted. Duck droppings fall directly into the pond and it act as manure and helps in boosting production of natural food (plankton), which further increases the productivity of the pond. Ducks also keep the pond clean by eating on the insects, tadpoles, larvae and vegetation present in and around the pond. Ducks also aerate the pond while swimming by paddling movement of their feet and flapping movement of their wing, which further enhances fish survival and pond productivity. No extra land is required for construction of duck house as it can be easily erected on the dykes/over the ponds.
For off campus demonstration, university provided locally produced ducklings to one of the progressive fish farmer, Mr. Ranjodh Singh Grewal of Village Nanoke, Nabha, during the monthly meeting of Innovative Fish Farmers Association, Ludhiana held at College of Fisheries. About 15 farmers attended the meeting and showed keen interest in adopting fish cum duck farming at their farms. All the farmers appreciated the efforts made by the University in achieving the major breakthrough in producing ducklings of Khaki Campbell at GADVASU. Dr. S.K. Kansal, Associate Professor, Department of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Extension, Coordinated the meeting.
