In a bid to encourage cage culture in different reservoirs, the Odisha Government has decided to grant subsidy to entrepreneurs investing in the new area of fish farming in the State.
Secretary Fisheries and Animal Resources Development R Raghu Prasad has announced this while addressing a seminar on cage culture held on digital platform here recently.
More than 40 entrepreneurs who were allotted sub-zones in Hirakud reservoir participated in the webinar which dealt with in details about the technical and economic aspects of Hirakud cage culture.Responding to queries from participants in the webinar, Dr Raghu Prasad said that the State Government had decided in principle to grant subsidy to entrepreneurs under Mukhyamantri Krushi Udyog Yojana.
Announcing that the scheme is included under Mastya Sampada Programme of the Union Government, Prasad said while for general entrepreneurs 40 per cent of the capital cost will be given as subsidy, it will be 50 percent for women and SC and ST entrepreneurs.
The State Government has decided to introduce this form of fish farming in eight reservoir, four large and four medium, in the State, Dr Raghu Prasad said.
After Hirakud, bids will be invited for Machkund reservoir, he said. Odisha has a huge potential for cage culture, he said adding that apart from exports, products of cage culture will reduce dependence on neighboring States for fish demand of Odisha. Notably, the State Government has selected 50 entrepreneurs for cage culture in Hirakud reservoir. In the webinar, these entrepreneurs were given important inputs regarding economic and technical aspects.