Making an effort to popularise fish farming in the waterlogged and barren area of the State, Punjab has constituted a Fish Farming Development Board. Till October 2014, 30,672 hectare area has already been brought under fish farming. “The efforts are underway to bring more waterlogged and sub-barren land of the State under fish farming,” said State Animal Husbandry, Fish Farming and Dairy Development Minister Gulzar Singh Ranike.
He said that during 2012-13, 1,870 lakh fish seeds were produced whereas during this current year 2,088 lakh fish seeds have been produced, so far. During first 10 months of this current year, 3,992 farmers were imparted training for fish farming.
Ranike said: “A high-level delegation of 17 members has also visited China to get hold of the latest techniques for fish farming. This delegation was also accompanied by eight fish farmers.” He said that the State Government has devised a special policy to propagate fish farming among the farmers of the State.
“Traditional cultivation of paddy and wheat crops has now proved to unproductive, so the Government has been encouraging the farmers to opt for fish farming to sustain their income,” he said.
Ranike said that an executive committee of nine members has also been formed under Fish Farming Development Board under the chairmanship of Financial Commissioner, Animal Husbandry, Fishery And Dairy Development.
Among other members to be inducted in this board would be GADVASU Vice Chancellor, a member nominated by Financial Commissioner, Additional Chief Executive Officer of livestock Development Board, Director Fisheries and small and big progressive fish farmers.
He said that the department has also decided to set up 14 ‘Fish Seed Farms’. Among these, seven farms would be set up at Raike Kala (Bathinda), Malwal (Ferozpur), Hayatnagar (Gurdaspur), Dosanj Nabha (Patila), Mohi (ludhiana), Faridkot and Rajasnasi (Amritsar).
“These farms would be set up during the financial year 2014-15 with the investment of `18.34 crore and rest of seven would be established in next year,” he added.