Srinagar: Principal Secretary Fisheries Department, Animal/Sheep Husbandry, Agriculture, Horticulture and Cooperatives Departments, Navin Kumar Choudhary, along with Director Fisheries, Mohammad Amin Mir, Thursday inaugurated office of Directorate of Fisheries at Tourist Reception Center Srinagar.
On the occasion, the Director briefed the Principal Secretary about various ongoing developmental activities of the department.
It was informed that the fish production during the year 2019-20 has reached to 21.35 thousands tonne and the department is continuously upgrading and strengthening the infrastructure for efficient and sustainable aquaculture.
Director Fisheries informed that the propagation of Fish Culture in the private sector has been successfully undertaken to provide employment avenues to the educated un-employed youth and till date 1703 Carp rearing units and 534 Trout Rearing units besides 1 Trout Hatchery has been established in private sector.
It was given out that about 17398 professional Fishermen of Jammu & Kashmir derive their livelihood from natural water resources on nominal average license fee of Rs. 400 or 500 per annum.
Director Fisheries also informed that during the current year, there was remarkable achievement in the Trout as well as Carp Seed production and the efforts are being made to double the income of Fish Farmers by 2022.
During the current financial year, under Capex budget an amount of Rs.169.51 lakh has been utilized against the released amount of Rs.263.00 lakh till date and an amount of Rs. 299.00 lakh stand realized as revenue on account of fish sale, license recovery and miscellaneous including trout angling permits.
Speaking on the occasion, Principal Secretary highlighted the importance of recently launched economic package of Government of India (GOI) under Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan (Self Reliant India) for Fisheries Sector to bring “Blue Revolution” through sustainable and responsible Development of Fisheries under the nomenclature Pardhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).
He reaffirmed that the the main objective of PMMSY is to create direct employment opportunities, double the income of fish farmers besides addressing critical gaps in fisheries sector and to increase fish production through sustainable and responsible fishing practices.
“The scheme will focus on creating critical modernization and strengthening of value chain and improve availability of certified quality Fish seed/ feed,” he asserted.
Choudhary instructed the Director Fisheries for establishment of cluster based Fish Farming and Cold Chain facility for marketing of Trout in the metropolitan cities, so that the fish farmers involved in the trade can fetch more prices for their produce.
He also stressed on establishing organized marketing facilities at different feasible locations for facilitating the Fish Farmers to sell their produce. He instructed for adoption of latest innovative techniques like RAS and Biofloc Aquaculture Technology for further enhancing Fish production.
Principal Secretary also stressed for creating awareness among the masses about various beneficiary oriented schemes, so that the unemployed youth can avail the benefit of these centrally sponsored schemes.
