RAJOURI: The Department of Fisheries organized Regional Level Kissan Mela-cum-Exhibition for fishermen under Centrally Sponsored Scheme ATMA here at Dak Bunglow on Sunday in which a large number of fishermen from Rajouri and adjacent areas participated.
Minister for Animal, Sheep Husbandry and Fisheries Abdul Gani Kohli, was the Chief Guest in the Mela.
The minister said that the government is giving tremendous importance to the fisheries sub sector, in the backdrop of employment opportunities offered by it, adding that efforts are afoot, both at Central and State level to strengthen the existing infrastructure to boost the pisciculture in the state.
Kohli said that there is immense scope to promote all types of fisheries in view of State’s varied agro climatic conditions. He said the Extension programme is one of the main activities of the Fisheries Department and under this programme the department has developed infrastructure for transfer of technology of fish farming to the private sector under lab to land programme.
The Minister said 80% population will earn from the agriculture and allied sub sectors including Animal, Sheep and Fisheries’ and will live a dignified life. He stressed on implementation of the centrally and state sponsored schemes so that youth of the state are attracted towards this vital sector.
The Minister distributed 60 cycles among the fishermen. The Minister also inspected various stalls erected by the department during Mela.
The Director Fisheries R. N. Pandita also spoke on the occasion and highlighted the importance of the Mela. He said a total of 3700 fishermen have been trained under the ATMA scheme during 2016-17 for which an amount of Rs. 19.00 lacs were incurred during the year, besides, 900 fisher folks have been trained in various activities of fisheries like fish culture, hygienic handling under NFDB funding during the same period.
The Director said that Government of India has launched Blue Revolution scheme during 2016-17 for integrated development and management of fisheries. He said Blue Revolution scheme (Neel Kranti mission) is a five year mission from 2016-20 launched Country-wide with an outlay of Rs 3000.00 crores and has brought all the existing Centrally Sponsored Schemes of the department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries under one umbrella with suitable convergence with other schemes like Sagarmala project, MGNREGA, RKVY, NRLM etc.
The Director said that Neel Kranti envisages increasing area under Pond Aquaculture while simultaneously creating employment avenues in private sector especially for the youth. He said one of the key features of the scheme is to support the fishers and sizeable area of Ponds and Sars is being renovated for revival of fishers, besides, supplementing the efforts by way of providing input costs both for new as well as renovated ponds.
Giving details of some major projects taken up by the department, the Director said that under the Blue Revolution Scheme the work on 429.00 lacs Mahasheer Brood Bank at Kalakote in Rajouri district is in progress. He said an amount of Rs 70.40 lacs have been incurred on the project.
Additional District Development Commissioner, Rajouri Avtar Singh and other Senior Officers of the Fisheries Department and district administration were present on the occasion.