Ahead of the Bihar Assembly polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch the Fish Brood Bank at Sitamarhi, and of Aquatic Disease Referral Laboratory at Kishanganj, for which assistance has been provided under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) on Thursday, PM will also launch several schemes which include the e-Gopala app, Semen Station with state of the art facilities, in Purnea, IVF lab established at Animal Sciences University in Patna and use of sex sorted semen in artificial insemination by Baroni Milk Union in Begusarai and fish feed mill at Madhepura.
According to the Ministry of Fisheries, Fish Brood Bank at Sitamarhi, and of Aquatic Disease Referral Laboratory at Kishanganj will help in enhancing production and productivity of fish by ensuring timely availability of quality and affordable fish seed for the fish farmers and address the need for disease diagnosis as well as water and soil testing facilities.
PMMSY in Bihar envisages an investment of Rs 1,390 crore with Central Share of Rs 535 crore and the additional fish production target pegged at 3 lakh tons.
During the current financial year, the Centre has sanctioned the proposal to the tune of Rs 107.00 crore which include establishment of Re-circulatory Aquaculture System (RAS), construction of Biofloc ponds for aquaculture, finfish hatcheries, construction of new ponds for aquaculture, Ornamental fish culture units, installation of Cages in reservoirs/wetlands, Ice plants, refrigerated vehicles, motor cycle with ice box, three wheeler with ice box, cycle with ice box, fish feed plants, extension and support services (Matsya Seva Kendra), establishment of a Brood Bank.
PMMSY is a flagship scheme for focused and sustainable development of the fisheries sector in the country.