Known for exemplary performance in the area of fish farming, the State Government on the occasion of the State Foundation Day brought the unknown faces behind Jharkhand’s success in meeting protein requirement through various techniques of pisciculture to the front and honoured them for helping the State maintain its upward march in terms of fish production.
As many as 10 people were felicitated on the occasion by Chief Minister Raghubar Das for exhibiting great interests in pisciculture and making best use of government’s initiatives to promote entrepreneurship in the field of fisheries to transform lives at the same time to counter protein deficiency by providing rich source of protein. A total of 13 people including some for playing pivotal role in encouraging the activity were felicitated on the State Foundation Day.
Even as the State government honoured the select few with monetary reward (Rs 5,000) and citation, people engaged in the activity confessed that fisheries as an economic activity changed their lives by improving monetary conditions since they dived into the business of fish farming.
“I produced 5 tonnes of fish last year and sold that in the local market. I control two ponds and my entire family is engaged in this business. Government’s support and guidance helped us in reaping benefits of pisciculture which has immense potential in Jharkhand,” said Palkot based farmer, Bhola Sahu.
Interestingly, lot of innovative techniques have been used to utilise State’s natural resources and water bodies—natural as well as created-- splashed across the State to promote entrepreneurship especially among youngsters, address income concerns and put Jharkhand on the brink of self-dependent in meeting demand of domestic consumption.
“I have been associated with this business since I was 17 years of age. Now I’m 20 and would continue in this trade in future as well. Rather than looking for a job I would rather concentrate on expanding this business,” said Deoghar based farmer, Krishna Kol. Notwithstanding, the constraints and hazards to the investment channelized into pisciculture, farmers opine that the activity although doesn’t looks enchanting at the first sight earning that flows later contradicts the belief. The demand and supply gap evident at a cursory glance of local fish market has driven few to transcend their geographical limitations and take up the activity elsewhere. Notably, Jharkhandis require around 1.40-lakh tonnes of fish every year of which around 1.06-lakh tonnes is produced in various parts of the State.
“The business although requires a great deal of dedication and perseverance is promising because of the demand which is still being met from sources based out of the State. Whenever we go to local market especially in urban areas we see fish produced elsewhere sold in that market. This is where one should look at, this where the opportunity awaits and that is why today I own one fish pond in Dhanbad,” said Bokaro based fish farmer, Guhiram Dhivar.