On the threshold of blue revolution, Punjab is all set to encourage farmers to go in for diversification and opt for fish farming in the State. For the purpose, Punjab Government has earmarked Rs 11.16 crore in the 2013-14 annual plan.
“An outlay of Rs 11.16 crore has been reserved in the annual plan 2013-14 against Rs 10.55 crore during 2012-13 for the purpose,” said the state Fisheries Minister Gulzar Singh Ranike.
He said that the farmers were adopting intensive fish culture in ponds and tanks on modern scientific lines through composite fish culture of fast growing species.
The Minister said that at present, 11,287 hectare area is under fish culture and there are around 8,000 fish farmers.
“Punjab is having the highest average fish production of 6,560 kg per hectare against the national average of 3,000 kg per hectare. There are 868 kms of rivers and 4,370 hecatres reservoirs and 16,585 km of canals as notified water areas,” added the Minister.
Ranike said that for making fish culture more lucrative and attractive to farmers and for bringing more area under fish culture, the main thrust of the department during the twelfth plan would be on providing quality fish seed of culturable varieties of fish.
Besides, the department would lay emphasis on adopting more suitable village ponds under fish farming, providing opportunities for gainful self-employment in rural areas, providing better extension services at pond sites, providing facilities of short term training in fish farming, and to
arrange visits of fish farmers to other states and developing saline or brackish water into fish farming.