DW BUREAU / Chandigarh

Making a notable stride in the fish farming sector, Punjab has been producing 2 lakh metric tons (MT) of fish annually from natural waters, private and panchayati ponds, informed S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian, Minister of Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries, on the occasion of National Fish Farmers Day, on Thursday.

Highlighting recent developments in the fisheries sector, S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian stated that Punjab currently has over 43,683 acres dedicated to fish farming and 985 acres to shrimp farming, which is showcasing the state's growing aquaculture landscape.

He further informed that 16 government fish seed farms, 11 fish feed mills, and 7 laboratories have been actively serving the state farmers to promote fishing sector. Additionally, 637 fish farmer beneficiaries have received financial assistance worth Rs 30.64 crore for fish farming projects including pond construction for fish & shrimp farming, fish feed mills, Recirculatory Aquaculture Systems (RAS), Biofloc-Culture Systems, insulated vehicles, motorcycles & auto-rickshaws with ice boxes, with subsidies ranging from from 40% to 60%.

Apart from this, 8 private fish kiosks have also been set up to facilitate the sale of fish and fish products in a hygienic environment, he added.

Extending warm greetings to the state fish farmers, S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian said that the fisheries sector has been flourishing under the dynamic leadership of the Punjab Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann. These efforts have created vast potential for growth in fish farming and allied industries, with significant scope for development in fish and shrimp processing. This growth will, in turn, generate new employment opportunities to further boost Punjab's economy.

The Fisheries Minister urged the state's youth to explore fish farming as a lucrative self-employment opportunity, contributing to the state's economic growth by embracing this promising venture.

(editor@dailyworld.in)