Govt to provide upto 60% subsidy for modern fish farming setup

Central Chronicle News
Bhilai, Oct 22: New technologies like Biofloc and Re-circulatory Aqua System have opened the doors of immense possibilities for entrepreneurs in fish farming. Taking advantage of these new methods has become easier now. If any farmer wants to set up such projects for fish farming, up to 60 percent subsidy facility is available for them, said Collector Dr Sarveshwar Narendra Bhure during a workshop held on the topic of fisheries.
He said that Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has given agriculture status to fisheries and has constituted Fishermen Welfare Board. These two decisions have opened up bigger avenues of economic growth for the fishermen. At the local level, the district administration has started providing seeds and nets etc for fish farmers through DMF. Collector said that new possibilities have opened up after providing the status of agriculture to fisheries. This is a great opportunity to increase income when there are facilities available to establish modern units. Fish producers should move in this direction. Assistance will be given by the district administration at every level. Member of Fishermen Welfare Board Vijay Dhimar, Director of NCDS Kailash Kaushik, CEO of District Panchayat Sachchidanand Alok, Deputy Director Sudesh Sahu, Deputy Director Sudha Das and other officers were present in the work shop.
Biofloc and Recirculatory Aqua System are the most advanced techniques of fish farming. Fish are raised in a small setup and manifold production can be taken in a small space. Matsya Sampada Yojana has been started to make this route accessible to common fish farmers as well. Under this, 40 percent financial assistance has been kept for the general category participants and 60 percent for the scheduled caste and tribe and women category to establish their setup. Fishermen, fish producers, self-help groups, people associated with cooperatives in fisheries, fish farmers producer organizations can take advantage of this scheme. There is also the facility of term loan for infrastructure construction and equity investment loan facility for setting up of new units and expansion of existing units.
Experts informed in the workshop that there is a huge potential for fish farmers in Durg district. The local producers here are not able to meet the local needs. A large quantity of fish is supplied to the local market from outside. With the increase in production at the local level, fish producing farmers will be able to capture this big market. Also, due to the units like BioFloc and Recirculatory Aqua System, large scale production can be possible with very less space, cost and raw material.