Chandigarh, May 22, 2013: Punjab Government has chalked out a comprehensive plan to promote fish farming in the state so as to woo farmers for diversification.
An area of 20,000 hectares (50,000 acres) would be brought under fish farming in the next five years.
Disclosing this here today Animal Husbandry, fisheries and Dairy Development Minister Gulzar Singh Ranike said that Rs.1,288 lakh has been approved under different fisheries development schemes in the annual plan 2013-14. During the year 2006-07 fish production per hectare was 6000 Kg whereas fish production has increased to 6560 kg during the year 2012-13.
He also informed that a project for Rs.337 crore for the development of fisheries in the saline affected water logged areas of South-Western districts of Punjab has already been submitted to Union Government.80% subsidy for the excavation of fish pond was demanded under this project. To develop the fisheries in the other districts of Punjab a project for Rs. 247 crore has also been submitted to Government of India under which 50% subsidy for the excavation of fish pond was demanded.
He further informed that at present for the unit cost Rs. 3.00 lakh ,a subsidy of Rs 60,000/- Per hectare to General Category and 75000 to SC/ST categories is given by the Fisheries Department Punjab. A hygienic wholesale fish market is being established at Ludhiana with the cost of Rs. 3.00 Crore.
He informed that basic training for fish farming is being provided at district-level. Last year 5,000 farmers were provided training in the fish farming.