Research extension linkage in coastal aquaculture.

Abstract

In India, coastal aquaculture has an enormous potential (1.2 million ha) for enhancing its fisheries production. However, presently, coastal aquaculture is confined with tiger shrimp culture (Penaeus monodon) which is being practiced in 1,54,600 ha with a production of 1,12,780 metric tonnes with a national productivity of 730 kg ha-1 yr-1. Sustainable coastal aquaculture development is closely related with the development of the ability of the farmers's understanding and adoption of new technology. Thus, fisheries extension bridges the gap between fisheries research station and the farming community by establishing suitable learning situations at various levels that would create access and interaction between the technology evolvers and its end users (De et al, 1999). keeping the above as background the present study was undertaken to investigate the nature and extent of linkage exist between the extension and research subsystems of coastal aquaculture.