AGRICULTURE AND BIOLOGY JOURNAL OF NORTH AMERICA

ISSN Print: 2151-7517, ISSN Online: 2151-7525, doi:10.5251/abjna.2017.8.2.35.44

© 2017, ScienceHuβ, http://www.scihub.org/ABJNA

Existing scenario and culture techniques of Pangas (Pangasius

hypophthalmus) in Rupandehi and Nawalparasi districts of Nepal
Shailesh Gurung1*, Keshar Bahadur Khatri2, Shivam Jaisawal2 and Sudip Pandey2
1
Assistant Professor, Tribhuvan University, Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science, Bhairahawa,
Nepal
2
B.Sc. Ag., Tribhuvan University, Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science, Bhairahawa, Nepal
*Corresponding Author Email: gurungshailesh@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

The study was done to know about the scenario and culture techniques of Pangasius in
Rupandehi and Nawalparasi districts of Nepal, and to know about its profitability. The survey
included only 5 farmers owing different pond area for Pangasius culture. Pre-tested questionnaire
was used for respondents selected on purposive selection basis. The different socio-demographic
information, pond characteristics and culture techniques were studied in the survey. B/C ratio of
the three farmers was found to be between 1 & 2, but in other two, it was less than 1 because of
the less number of fish stocked. The t-test value obtained using two paired variables (total feed
and total production) was 0.000126268 which is less than 2.776, the tabulated value of t at 0.05
level of significance and 4 df. Also the t-test value obtained using two paired variables (total cost
and total return) was 0.584577 which is less than 2.776, the tabulated value of t at 0.05 level of
significance and 4 df. Hence this showed the profitability of Pangasius culture in these two
districts of Nepal.
Keywords: Pangasius, culture technique, B/C ratio, pelleted feed, production cost

INTRODUCTION: cakes without any regular fertilization. There is a

Fish is known as a staple food for over a billion people
in the world. It is well known for its lean and white
meat with low fat having low cholesterol levels. Diet-
conscious people, especially in the Western countries,
are shifting from red to white meat (such as chicken)
and then towards seafood, whereas consumption of
aquatic organisms is a tradition in Asia and many
other countries that are adjacent to sea. Because of
the shifting consumption behavior coupled with ever
increasing population, the demand for fish is steadily
increasing. At present, it is estimated that almost 160
million ton of fish captured and farmed - is produced
annually, out of which only about 106 million ton is
used for human consumption (FAO, 2006; De Silva
and Devy 2010). Directorate of Fisheries
Development, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives
has estimated that total fish production (catch and
culture) in Nepal is around 46,000 ton for 2008.
Similarly, FAO statistics also show an impressive
double digit annual growth. However, fish farming is
concentrated in southern plain region (90%) and
mainly in earthen ponds (95%). Average productivity
of ponds has been achieved at 3.6 t/ha with limited
amount of inputs and no commercial feed. Existing
system includes occasional feeding of rice bran and
scope for intensification by promoting on- farm feed
using locally available ingredients and other farm
resources, in addition to regular fertilization of ponds
with urea and diammonium phosphate (DAP).
Considerable improvement in fish farming by
increasing the production can be achieved through an
effective extension program.
One of the fast growing types of aquaculture of the
world is considered as pangas farming. Pangas has
been proven particularly adaptable for intensive
production system. This catfish is especially native to
the Mekong River of Vietnam and has been introduced
throughout the region as an aquaculture species.
Pangas is commonly known as Iridscent shark, sutchi
catfish in Thailand or pla sawai, Patin in Malaysia, tra
or basa catfish in Vietnam, baikhi in Nepal belongs to
the family Pangasiidae respectively. P.
hypophthalmus is a highly migratory riverine fish
species having long distance migrations over several
hundred kilometers between upstream to downstream.
And it is one of the fastest growing fresh water fish
species in overall agriculture branches (Csávás,
1994). It recognize as a scale less skin, long slender
body, wide mouth and curvature (not sharp) located in
quite low position. It has the ability to feed on a variety

of food items (omnivorous). They are sensitive to light.
They move in cyclic form and are bottom feeders in
nature but can be trained to eat at the surface. And
they are easily agitated by sound also.The
aquaculture potential of this species in tropical regions
of the world outside of SE Asia would appear to be
excellent. Until now there have been no efforts to
produce Pangasius as food in the Western
Hemisphere. Pangas (Pangasius hypophthalmus) is
the best due to its easy culture system, favorable
weather condition for culture and high market demand
(Sarder et al.1994).One of the major problems is
Fig. 1: Site Selection
Survey design and information collection:
Personal contact was done to share knowledge and
experience of pangas culture. Information on
scenario and culture technique of pangas fish was
collected through pre-tested structured
questionnaires from the key informants selected
purposively in the project area.
Key informant selection: Renowned pangas fish
grower was selected on the basis of their popularity
in the village. Administration of questionnaire was
done.
Methods and technique of data analysis:The
information collected from primary and secondary
36
Agric. Biol. J. N. Am., 2017, 8(2): 35-44
experienced facing rapidly growing aquaculture is the
availability of fish feed, since feed cost is the largest
operating cost of semi-intensive fish farming. Feeding
cost often accounts more than 50% of the total cost of
production in intensified culture systems (Sehagal &
Toor 1991; De Silva 1992).
METHODOLOGY
Study area: Research was conducted in Nwalparasi
and Rupandehi district of western region. Nawalparasi
district is situated at 27˚31’59’’ N Latitude and 83˚40ʹE
0
longitude and Rupandehi district is located at 27 30'
o
0" North latitude and 83 27' 0" East longitude.
Site Selection
sources was analyzed by using timeline, trendline,
social mapping and other tools of participatory rural
appraisal. The Microsoft excel was, B/C ratio and t-
test was done for quantitative and qualitative data
analysis.
B/C ratio = Gross return / Total cost
T-test was also done to analyze the feasibility of
pangas production by taking two paired variables
total feed & total production per kattha and total cost
and total return per kattha.
Descriptive statistic like frequency count, percentage,
chart and diagram was made by using MS Excel.
 Agric. Biol. J. N. Am., 2017, 8(2): 35-44

RESULT AND DISCUSSION allocated for the farmers was very less. The
maximum area allocated by the farmer was 0.85 ha
Area and number of ponds of concerned farmers:
within 2 ponds, where as all other farmers had only 1
As this was the only first year of production of pangas
pond for pangas cultivation covering are 0.25, 0.6
for these farmers the area and number of ponds
and 0.05 ha.
2.5 0.9
0.85
2 0.8
2

Area of pond (ha)

0.7
No. of ponds
0.6 0.6
1.5
0.5
1 1 1 1
0.4
1
0.3
0.25
0.5 0.2
0.1
0 0.05 0.05 0
Khem Punya Bdr. Santosh Ambarish Rabindra
Narayan Chaudhhary Shrestha Patel sahani
Tharu
Name of farmers

No. of Ponds Total pond area (Ha)

Fig. 2: No. and area of pond for pangas cultivation by the concerned farmers
Fish Stocking: The wide variation was seen in the were 51.8 and 150 kg. Similarly the size of the
size and quantity of the fish stocked as it was done fingerlings stocked by other three farmers was 1, 1.5
by the farmers only for the experimental purpose. and 3 and hence the total weight of fingerlings
Among five farmers, two stocked large sized fishes stocked was 19.5, 54 and 110 kg respectively.
i.e. of 6 inches and the total weight of fish stocked
160 150 7
140 6 6 6
Weight of fish stocked

Size of stocked fish

120 110
5
100
4
80
3 54 51.8 3
60
40 2
19.551 1.5
20 1
0 0
Khem Narayan Punya Bdr. Santosh Ambarish Patel Rabindra sahani
Tharu Chaudhhary Shrestha
Name of farmers

Total wt. (kg)

Size of fish(inch)

Fig. 3: Number and weight of fish stock

Feeding: Out of five farmers, four used pelleted feed. cake (MOC) at the rate of 60, 38, 30 kg/kattha. One
Four farmers used pelleted feed the most at the rate farmer used the chicken, boiled egg as the extra
of 700, 521, 666 and 800 kg/kattha in 6 months. Rice protein diet and molasses as energy diet at the rate
bran was given by 4 farmers at the rate of 204, 400, of 433, 112 and 412 kg/kattha respectively in 6
395, 60 kg/kattha in 6 months. One farmer did not months.
use rice bran at all. Three farmers used mustard oil

37
 Agric. Biol. J. N. Am., 2017, 8(2): 35-44

2)
Table 1: Total feed given by the concerned farmer per kattha (1 kattha=333.33m

Name Total feed (Kg/kattha)

Khem Narayan Tharu 964
Punya Pd. Chaudhary 959
Santosh Shrestha 1352
Ambarish Patel 756
Rabindra sahani 800

Hence total feed used by the farmers is 964, 959,

1352, 756 and 800 kg/kattha.
1600

1400

1200
412

1000
Pellet (Kg/kattha)
Qty of Feed

800 Molasses (kg/kattha)

521 433 Chicken (kg/kattha)

600 700 Boiled Egg (kg/kattha)
MOC (kg/kattha)
112 666
400 38 800 Rice bran (kg/kattha)

200 60
400 395
204 30
0 60 0
Khem Narayan Punya Bdr. Santosh Shrestha Ambarish Patel Rabindra sahani
Tharu Chaudhhary
Name of farmer

Fig. 4: Feeding practices adopted by the farmers

Pangasisus hypopthalmus is an omnivorous species.
It feeds on fish, crustaceans and vegetable matter.
The commercially manufactured pelleted feed is the
most effective way to cultivate fish, although feed
costs are extremely high (Ahmed, 2007). Rice bran,
MOC, Cattle and buffalo manure is commonly used
as a source of nutrients for fishponds. On average,
the quantity of feed used per ha per annum were
22,370 kg, 13,010 kg and 5,790 kg in intensive,
semiintensive and traditional feeding practices,
respectively. It is reported that thai pangus
responded towards higher growth with the increasing
protein level of the diet applied to different treatments
and highest specific growth rate (SGR) 1.60 % day-1
( Sayeed et al, 2009).
Fertilizer Application: All the farmers used DAP,
urea and lime for their pond management.
Lime was used most by all the farmers at the rate of
15, 2, 15, 10.5 and 15 kg/kattha in 6 months. Urea
was used by all the farmers at the rate 2.4, 1, 1, 2
and 2.3 kg/kattha in 6 months. DAP was used by all
the farmers at the rate of 1.2, 1, 0.5, 1.5 and 2
kg/kattha in 6 months.

38
 Agric. Biol. J. N. Am., 2017, 8(2): 35-44

25

Rate of fertilizer application

20
1.2 2
2.4 0.5
1 2.3
15
1.5
2
10
15 15 15 DAP (kg/kattha)
5 10.5
1 Urea (kg/kattha)
1
0 2 Lime (kg/kattha)

Name of farmer

Fig. 5: Rate of fertilizer application by the farmers

Nitrogen and phosphorous in the form of inorganic
fertilizer are applied to fish ponds to stimulate algal
growth to increase zooplankton production. Farmers
are now aware of the benefits of using inorganic
fertilizers such as urea, TSP and others. (Barman,
Little and Edwards, 2002; Thompson, Sultana and
Firoz Khan, 2005). Lime is used by the farmers to
improve water quality and to increase productivity.
Farmers who practice intensive pangas aquaculture
apply small quantities of lime to their ponds on a
monthly basis to improve water quality (DoF, 2005).
Production Cost: We divided the production cost of
farmers under different headings as fingerling cost,
feed cost, labor cost, re-excavation cost and
miscellaneous cost which includes cost of pond
management, motor, travel cost, etc. Among five
farmers, three have expended most in the feed. The
expenditure in feeds is 44%, 46%, 40%, 9% and
21%. The expenditure in labor done by the farmers is
35%, 37%, 33%, 56% and 29%.The expenditure
made by the farmers in the stocking of fish is 12%,
14%, 15%, 18% and 41%. The 41% expenditure was
made by one of the farmers because he stocked the
fish of size 6 inches and average weight 700gm. The
expenditure in the re-excavation is 3%, 2%, 5%, 6%
and 3%. The miscellaneous expenditure is 6%, 1%,
7%, 11% and 6%.

Fig. 6: Production cost distribution Fig. 7: Production cost distribution of

Khem Narayan Tharu Punya Bdr. Chaudhary

39
 Agric. Biol. J. N. Am., 2017, 8(2): 35-44

Fig. 8: Production cost distribution of Fig. 9: Production cost distribution of

Santosh Shrestha Ambarish Patel

Fig. 10: Production cost distribution of Rabindra Sahani

Feed costs generally constitute the highest single
operational cost, accounting for 76 percent, 69
percent and 59 percent of total costs in intensive,
semi-intensive and traditional feeding practices,
respectively. Statistical analysis indicated that inputs
are inefficiently used in intensive feeding. The highest
benefit-cost ratio is found in traditional feeding at
2.12, compared with 1.76 in semi-intensive and 1.64
in intensive feeding. It is reported that the average
annual stocking density of fingerlings for intensive,
semi-intensive and traditional farms were estimated
at 35 900, 23 575 and 12 065 per ha, respectively.
(Ahmed, 2007).

40
 Agric. Biol. J. N. Am., 2017, 8(2): 35-44

90000 77929 81515 79035 81605

Total production cost Rs./ kattha

80000
70000 60416
60000
50000
40000
30000
20000
10000
0
Khem Narayan Punya Psd Santosh Ambarish Patel Rabindra
Tharu Chaudhary Shrestha sahani
Name of farmers

Fig. 11: Total cost of production per kattha

The total money spent in production was higher Production:The average annual yield of pangas was
because of the excessive use of the pelleted feed. estimated at 8,343 kg/ha in 2005. The highest
The total production cost of all the farmers is Rs. average annual pangas production per ha pond was
77929, Rs. 81515, Rs. 79035, Rs. 53612 and Rs. recorded in intensive farming (13,945 kg) (Ahmed,
81605 per kattha. 2007). During the survey period, out of five only 2
farmers had harvested the fish completely.

Fig.12: Harvesting pattern of Fig.13: Harvesting pattern of

Khem Narayan Tharu Santosh Shrestha
Those two farmers had sold, consumed and gifted 88%. The quantity gifted is 4% and 3% and the
the fish after harvest. The quantity sold is 93% and quantity consumed is 3% and 9%.

41
 Agric. Biol. J. N. Am., 2017, 8(2): 35-44

700
581
600
500 447.5
400 350
300 213
200
79.2
100
0
Khem Punya Psd Santosh Ambarish Rabindra
Narayan Chaudhary Shrestha Patel sahani
Tharu

Total Production(kg/kattha)

Fig. 14: Total production per kattha of Pangas

The production of pangas by 5 farmers is 447.5kg, production of pangas by two farmers was obtained
350kg, 581kg, 79.2kg, 213kg per kattha. The less due to less stocking of fish.
2500

2000

1500

1000

500

0
Khem Narayan Punya Bdr. Santosh Ambarish Rabindra
Tharu Chaudhhary Shrestha Patel sahani
Name of farmer

Total feed (Kg/kattha) Total Production(kg/kattha)

Fig. 15: Comparative chart showing amount of feed and production per kattha
• Feasibility of pangas production was also
analyzed by T-test by taking two paired
variables (total feed and total production)
• 0.000126268 is the value obtained from t-
test.
• Here 0.000126268 ˂ 2.776 (tabulated value
of t at 0.05 level of significance and 4 d.f.).
• Therefore the result is non-significant so we
accept the hypothesis with the inference that
the testing is reliable.
B/C Ratio Analysis:
A method for analyzing the desirability of public
works, projects, or any other project where benefits
and costs can be quantified is called B/C ratio. The
B/C ratio of all the farmers on per kattha basis was
calculated and following results were obtained.

42

Table 2: B/C ratio of different farmers
SN Name Total Cost
(Rs/kattha)
1 Khem Narayan Tharu 77929
2 Punya Pd Chaudhary 81515
3 Santosh Shrestha 79035
4 Ambarish Patel 60416
5 Rabindra sahani 81605
 Feasibility of pangas production was
analyzed by T-test by taking two paired
variables (total cost and total return).
• 0.584577 is the value obtained from t-test.
• Here 0.584577 ˂ 2.776 (tabulated value of t
at 0.05 level of significance and 4 d.f.).
• Therefore the result is non-significant so we
accept the hypothesis with the inference that
the testing is reliable.
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
• There were few pangas fish farmers in
Nawalparasi and Rupandehi district. Out of
five farmers, three were from Nawalparasi
and two from Rupandehi district. Among five
farmers, one had two ponds and other had
only one pond. All farmers were practicing
mono culture system. Two farmers, Ambrish
and Sahani, had very low stocking densities
of 74 and 166/katha respectively. They
stocked large size fish of 6 inches while other
three farmers, Khemnaryan Tharu, Punya
Pd.Chaudhary and Santosh Shrestha
stocked small size fingerlings (1-3 inches) in
higher stocking densities @ of 1950, 2235
and 2962 respectively.
• Out of five farmers, four farmers
(Khemnarayan, Punya Pd, Patel and
Sahani) used pelleted feed. Four farmers
used pelleted feed the most at the rate of
700, 521, 666 and 800 kg/kattha in 6 months
respectively. Bran was given by 4 farmers
(Khemnaryan, Punya Pd., Patel and
Santosh) at the rate of 204, 400, 395, 60
kg/kattha in 6 months. Santosh Shrestha did
not use rice bran at all. Three farmers,
Khemnaryan, Punya Pd and Pattel, used
mustard oil cake (MOC) at the rate of 60, 38,
43
Agric. Biol. J. N. Am., 2017, 8(2): 35-44
Total return
(Rs/kattha) B/C ratio
129775 1.66
96250 1.180764277
145250 1.837793383
19008 0.314618644
53250 0.65
30 kg/kattha. Farmers used Urea, DAP to
maintain phytoplankton in pond and lime was
used to maintain the water quality. Feed and
labor occupied about 43% and 38 % of the
total cost.
• Highest production was obtained from
Santosh Shrestha because he used protein
rich feed like boiled eggs and chicken in
addition to bran and molasses. BC ratio of
three farmers (khemnaryan, Punya Psd.and
Santosh ) was more than 1. 1.66, 1.18, 1.83,
0.31, 0.65 are the bc ratios obtained from five
farmers, Khemnaryan Tharu, Punya Pd.
Chaudhary, Santosh Shrestha,Ambrish Patel
and Rabindra Sahani respectively. Feasibility
of pangas production was also analyzed by
T-test. 0.584577 is the value obtained from t-
test by taking two paired variables (total cost
and total return).
• The breeding is not done in Nepal, however
we came to know the complexity at hatchling
stage. The cannabolism is the major problem
during this stage. The fishes eat each other
at this stage, if sufficient feed is not available
at this time. Thus puddling is regularly done
at the bottom of pond so the fishes cannot
see each other and hence mortality is also
controlled. Also feed rich in protein should
also be given to check cannabalism.
• From the result it was concluded that pangas
is fast growing fish species which can be
reared in low oxygen condition at high
stocking densities. It is easy to culture and
can be cultured by feeding homemade feeds
like rice bran, MOC, vegetable etc. Water
exchange is the one of the important
component for the production of pangas in
winter season. Fish fed with higher protein
content grows at faster than other feed. They
start to give return from 6 months of stocking.

If the high quality fingerlings are provided in
time, no of pangas grower will be higher in
Nepal. Research on pangas is great
opportunity to agriculturist of Nepal because
there is no any research on pangas at all.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The authors wish to acknowledge the sincere thanks
to the Aquaculture department of Institute of
Agriculture and Animal Science. Similarly, special
thanks are extended to all the project staffs, fish
farmers, market actors and service providers who
actively participated in different phases of this work.
Last but not the least, we would like to extend our
sincere thanks to Dr Murshed Khondker E-Jahan,
Worldfish Center, Bangladesh for his untiring support
and effort provided in ANEP.
REFERENCES
• Ahmed N. (2007) Economics of aquaculture
feeding practices: Bangladesh. In M.R. Hasan
(ed.). Economics of aquaculture feeding practices
in selected Asian countries. FAO Fisheries
Technical Paper. No. 505. Rome, FAO. 2007. pp.
33–64.
• Barman B. K., Little D. C. and Janssen J. (2003)
Tilapia culture systems in Bangladesh. Global
Aquaculture Advocate, 6 (4).p. 31–33.
• Csavas, I. (1994a) Coastal aquaculture in Thailand.
FAO aquaculture newsletter (FAN) No. 7, August
1994. Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, Rome 00100.
44
Agric. Biol. J. N. Am., 2017, 8(2): 35-44
• De Silva, S.S. and Davy, F.B. (1992) Fish nutrition
research for semi-intensive culture system in Asia.
Asian Fish. Sci., 5: 129-144.
• De Silva, S.S. & Davy F.B. (2010) Aquaculture
successes in Asia: contributing to sustained
development and poverty alleviation. InS.S. De
Silva & F.B. Davy, eds. Success stories in Asian
aquaculture, pp.1–14. London, Springer.
• DoF (Department of Fisheries) (2005) Saronika,
National Fisheries Fortnight 2005, 7-21 August,
2005. Dhaka, Department of Fisheries, Ministry of
Fisheries and Livestock. 132 pp.
• FAO (2004) The state of world fisheries and
aquaculture. Rome: Food and Agriculture
Organisation of the United Nations.
• Sarder, M.R.I., Mollah, M.F.A., Ahmad, G.U. &
Kibria, M.G. (1994) Effects of supplemental diets
of the growth of Pangus (Pangasius pangasius,
Ham.) in nets cages. Bangladesh Agric. J. Fish.,
22(2): 303-307.
• Sayeed MAB, Hossain GS, Mistry SK and Huq KA
(2008) Growth performance of thai pangas in
polyculture system using different supplementary
feeds , Rajshahi Univ. J. Zool., vol. 27, pp. 59-62.
• Sehgal, H., and H. Toor. (1991) Offspring fitness
and fecundity of an Indian major carp, Labeo rohita
(Ham.), in relation to egg size. Aquaculture 97:269–
279.
• Thompson P M, Sultana P and Firoz Khan A K M
(2005) Aquaculture Extension Impacts in
Bangladesh: A Case Study from Kapasia, Gazipur.
WorldFish Center Technical Report 63. Dhaka,
WorldFish Center, Bangladesh and South Asia
Office. 75pp.