International Journal of Agriculture Extension and Social Development

author(s)
B Nightingale Devi, Basant Singh, Ankita Thakur, Chris Abhay Das, Gurudev Ghidorey and Kajal Chandravanshi

abstract
Aquaculture is a vital economic sector in Chhattisgarh, with the state ranking sixth in India’s inland fish production. However, the increasing reliance on aqua-drugs by fish farmers, coupled with inadequate awareness, raises concerns about food safety, environmental sustainability, and responsible aquaculture practices. This study evaluates farmers' perceptions, usage patterns, and challenges associated with aquaculture drugs and chemicals in Raipur district. Data were collected through field surveys, semi-structured questionnaires, and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) involving 60 respondents, including fish farmers and hatchery owners. The findings reveal extensive use of chemicals such as Tag Lamina (56% farmers), Potash (64%), Lime (54%), and Bio-ox (66%) for disease control, water quality management, and oxygen enhancement. Commonly used chemicals include sodium chloride, formalin, potassium permanganate, and copper sulphate for health management, while zeolite, lime, and oxy-lime were preferred for pond preparation. However, farmers lack proper knowledge of dosage and active ingredients, leading to potential misuse. Despite challenges, 76% of farmers reported satisfaction with drug outcomes, though awareness of safe application remained low. Furthermore, key constraints faced by the farmers included high feed costs (43.33%), disease outbreaks (31%), inadequate infrastructure (69.33%), and lack of technical knowledge. The findings provide critical insights for policymakers, researchers, and extension services to improve sustainable aquaculture practices by bridging knowledge gaps on proper dosage and application methods for safer and more efficient fish farming, contributing to long-term sectoral growth.