Chandigarh, July 8, 2013: Punjab is now on the threshold of a Blue Revolution to encourage farmers to go in for diversification and opt for fish farming in the state.
Disclosing this here today Punjab fisheries minister Gulzar Singh Ranike said for this purpose an outlay of 11.16 crore has been reserved in the annual plan 2013-14 against Rs.10.55 crore during 2012-13. He said that the farmers were adopting intensive fish culture in ponds and tanks on modern scientific lines through composite fish culture of fast growing species.
The Minister said that at present 11287 ha. area is under fish culture and there are around 8000 fish farmers. Punjab is having the highest average fish production of 6560 kg/ha. against the national average of 3000kg/ha. There are 868 kms of rivers and 4370 ha. reservoirs and 16585 kms of canals as notified water areas added the minister.
Ranike said that for making fish culture, more lucrative and attractive to farmers and for bringing more area under fish culture, the main thrust of the department during the 12th plan would be on providing quality fish seed of culturable varieties of fish; adopting more suitable village ponds under fish farming ; providing opportunities for gainful self-employment in rural areas, providing better extension services at pond sites; providing facilities of short term training in fish farming and to arrange visits of fish farmers to other states and developing saline/brackish water into fish farming.