With the efforts made by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in the last 12 years, there is an increase in nearly one lakh hectare water area in the state. The water area in the state in the year 2003-04 was 3.02 lakh hectare which rose to 4.05 lakh hectare in 2016-17. Out of this fish farming is being undertaken in 98 per cent water area. This has resulted in rise in additional income of farmers.
Giving this information Fishermen Welfare and Fisheries Development Minister Antar Singh Arya told that there has been a rise of 172.92 percent in Fisheries production due to rise in water area. In year 2003-04, fishery production was 50818.30 metric tonne which rose to one lakh 38,693 metric tonne in year 2016-17.
Arya said that there is an increase of 189.10 percent in fish seed production. In the last 12 years, this also has increased from 3844.13 lakh standard fry fish seeds to 11113.26 lakh. The collection of standard fry seeds has increased by 152 per cent which has increased from 4202-72 lakh to 10627.07 lakh.
With increase in fish production, the departmental income has also risen by 276 per cent. The Pattaholder Fishermen Cooperative Committees are provided with boat, net, seeds, share capital for lease amount for fish farming and are given Rs 1.5 lakh grant on every 100 hectare water area in 10 years. This grant has also been increased by 60 per cent. Fishermen credit cards will now be made for fishermen.
As many as 57,130 fishermen were insured in year 2003-04 under Fishermen Accident Insurance whereas in 2016-17, 1.84 lakh fishermen were insured which is more than 223 per cent. Arya said that government has introduced several welfare schemes and are promoting it to increase income of not only fishermen but also farmers.