In the series of programmes under State-level Krishi Mahotsav, a convention of fishermen and fish farmers will be held at Samanvay Bhavan, here on Tuesday at 11 am.
CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan will be chief guest, while Fishermen’s Welfare and Fisheries Development Minister Kusum Mahdele will preside over it. The main objective of the convention is to give information about advanced techniques to increase fish production in the process of making agriculture a profitable occupation.
Fisheries experts and scientists of Indian Council of Agriculture Research will technically guide farmers about fish farming. Their problems will also be solved by experts. Apart from sharing experience between fish farmers, open discussions will also be held during the convention.
Fishermen’s Welfare department’s role is important in providing employment to people in rural economy and making available protein-rich food. Fisheries sector’s share is 5.30 per cent in GDP in agriculture sector. Over 4 lakh hectare water area are available in the State and fish farming is being undertaken on 98 percent of this area. Fish production’s growth rate was negative in year 2009-10, which has increased to 13 per cent during last 3 years. The present fish production is over 96,200 MT.
According to Vision Document, it is targeted to be increased to one lakh 45 thousand MT.
It may be mentioned that cage culture programme has been introduced in 5 reservoirs to increase fish production. Besides, pen and peripheral ponds are also being constructed for augmentation of production of fish seeds. Under National Agriculture Development Programme, several schemes are being run including ideal fish feed, Fishermen’s Credit Cards on zero percent interest rate, houses for fishermen and savings-cum-relief scheme. Survey of fish has been undertaken in efforts to conserve bio-diversity. In the survey, 136 species have been identified.