Haryana ranks second in fish production

By Haryananewswire

CHANDIGARH, NOV 28

 With an average fish production  of  5800 kilograms per hectare, Haryana  ranks second in fish production in the country.

          While stating this here today, an official spokesman said that the Fisheries Department has,  since the year 2005,spent a sum of Rs 171 crore for implementation of various schemes. He said that the plan and non-Plan budget of the department in the year 2004-05 was Rs 10.7 crore whereas it has increased upto Rs 27.18 crore in the year 2013-14.

          He said that the Fisheries Department has set a target to produce 1.20 lakh tonnes of fish in the year 2013-14. Since the year 2005, more than 6.76 lakh tonnes of fish has been produced. The State Government has approved a sum of Rs 48.90 crore under the 12^th Five Year Plan for implementation of various schemes of the Department.

          He said that farmers engaged in fish farming were being given electricity on the pattern of agriculture sector at a rate of 25 paise per unit and with a view to increase the income of farmers, VAT has been waived off on fish food. As many as 5647 families belonging to Scheduled Castes who were engaged in fish farming have been benefitted under the scheme being run for their welfare.

          Keeping in view the demand of ornamental fish, a hatchery has been constructed in the Fish Seed Farm at Saidpura, district Karnal and it has been strengthened at a cost of Rs 25 lakh under the National Agriculture Development Plan. Apart from this, 37 diagnostic laboratories for examination of soil and water have been strengthened in the State.

          He said that a State Fish Seed Farm having capacity  to produce 30 lakh fish seed every year has been set up at a cost of Rs 36 lakh  at Ottu, district Sirsa. As many as 15 Government Fish Seed Farms and 16 Private Fish Seed Hatcheries have been set up in the State. He said that the income of panchayats has also increased after the rural ponds were given on lease for fisheries. Through this ponds the panchayats used to earn about Rs 125 crore every year and so far since the year 2005, the panchayats have earned income of about Rs 700 crore.