LAHORE - University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Assistant Professor at Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Dr Noor Khan has won Rs3.954 million research grant from the Higher Education Commission for the culturing and breeding of catfish at Ravi Campus Pattoki.
The three-year project titled “Prospects of culturing and breeding of Catfish (Pangasius pangasius) in Pakistan” focuses on the introduction of new species of Catfish Pangasius pangasius in our present aquaculture system and it’s breeding in captivity. Under the project artificial feed will be formulated and prepared for various age groups and evaluated for its effect on the growth, nutrient profile and breeding potential of this specie.
The main objective of the project is to introduce Catfish (Pangasius pangasius) in Pakistan under intensive and semi-intensive culture systems with appropriate level of protein concentration to increase the production per unit area and maximizing farmer’s profit. The project will also strengthen research activities in the department and play an important role in further strengthening links with industry and fish farmers.
Dr Noor Khan said that it was believed that the introduction of Pangasius pangasius would be successful and profitable in Pakistan due to its fast growth, wider tolerance to changes in water quality, disease resistance and comparatively high market price. Another important fact was that this fish can easily be acclimatized to the artificial feed due to its omnivorous nature, he added.