*ON WORLD FISHERIES DAY, PUNJAB EYES BIGGER CATCH WITH SUSTAINABLE AQUACULTURE PUSH*
*• Punjab’s fisheries sector thrives with over 2 lakh tonnes annual production, says Gurmeet Singh Khudian*
*• Khudian congratulates Fish & Shrimp Farmers on World Fisheries Day, urges them to continue proactive role in boosting production*
Chandigarh, November 21 (WISHAVWARTA):- On the World Fisheries Day, celebrated globally on November 21, the Punjab Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries Minister S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian highlighted the state’s remarkable progress in fisheries development, turning aquaculture into a sustainable production and economic powerhouse.
Detailing the state’s progress in aquaculture sector, S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian stated that Punjab’s Fisheries sector has witnessed remarkable growth, with fish culture spread across 43,685 acres, yielding an impressive annual production of over two lakh metric tonnes. The state’s innovative approach to shrimp farming has also paid off, with 1,034 acres of saline lands being utilised to produce around 2,759 metric tonnes of shrimp, showcasing its potential in sustainable aquaculture practices and contributing to the state’s economic development.
To support this growth, Punjab has established 16 Government Fish Seed Farms to provide high-quality fish seed to farmers at affordable rates, he added.
Furthermore, the state is actively promoting the PMMSY, offering substantial subsidies of 40% to 60% for various projects. Through PMMSY, the Fisheries department have already provided subsidies worth Rs 31.04 crores to 683 beneficiaries, S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian informed, while adding that this financial support covers a wide range of initiatives, including new ponds for fish and shrimp farming, Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS), Biofloc units, Fish Feed Mills and vehicles for transportation of fish and fish products.
While congratulating the fish & shrimp farmers and other stakeholders on the World Fisheries Day, S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian urged all the farmers to continue their proactive role in boosting production. The state government is committed to provide every possible support to strengthen this profession and ensure the prosperity of “Annadata”.
The Fisheries Minister said that Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government is pulling all stops to harnessing Punjab’s water resources for sustainable growth and farmer prosperity. The Fisheries department has been intensely focused on developing robust infrastructure and boosting fish production, turning previously unproductive lands into thriving economic assets.
Principal Secretary Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and Dairying Development Department Mr. Rahul Bhandari also congratulated the fish and shrimp cultivators, while sharing that the department has declared the Rohu (Labeo rohita) fish as the ‘State Fish’ on October 31 this year. He also highlighted a new scheme by the Punjab Fisheries Development Board to support the construction of fish ponds in low-lying areas and the renovation of old private ponds.
