Various developmental programmes are being implemented by the Central and State Governments to increase fish production in the state. BS Mishra, Principal Secretary of the Fisheries Department, said this in a press conference held yesterday in the Press Conference Hall of the Secretariat, highlighting the notable achievements and future plans of the Fisheries Department. He informed about the Government of India’s Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana implementation in the state and said that this scheme has been adopted in the state for 5 years. The Central Government has sanctioned 2,206,14 rupees to the state for the implementation of this scheme in the financial year 2022-23. Excavation of new reservoirs in 175.65 hectares has already been completed under this scheme. For fish farming in 201.44 hectares of water bodies fund and necessary materials have been given. 14 hatcheries including one shrimp hatchery, have been constructed. Of these, the construction work of 5 has been completed. Construction of 8 out of 24 colourful fish breeding centres has been completed.
In the press conference, the Principal Secretary said that 41 bio-floc units have been set up in the state. 6 fish markets have been opened. 1 out of 3 catfish sale centres has been opened. Two more will be opened soon. Initiatives have been taken to set up 13 fish feed mills. In addition, the scheme provides assistance for purchase of bicycles, motorcycles and tricycles with insulated boxes. Out of this, 216 bicycles, 64 motorcycles and 39 tricycles were purchased. Principal Secretary also said that 5 hatcheries have been constructed in 2021-22 through the National Fisheries Development Board under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana.
Principal Secretary of the Fisheries Department said that fishery resource survey is conducted every year to find out various information related to fisheries such as production, amount of water bodies under fisheries, number of fishermen etc. According to the Fishery Resource Survey data in the financial year 2020-21, there are 1,95,808 fishermen in the state. There are 2,12,445 reservoirs for fish farming. The catchment area is 29,368.99 hectares. He also provided statistics on the amount of water bodies used for fish farming and other information. He said that fish production is increasing by about 2 percent every year. But it was interrupted slightly due to monsoon. Principal Secretary said that the demand for fish fry in the state is very high. Special emphasis has been given to the economic development of fish farmers by increasing the production of fish fry. Therefore, the Department of Fisheries is also working on increasing the quantity and quality of fish food in the state, he said.
In the press conference, the Principal Secretary said that 6 fisheries knowledge centres have been set up in the state at Nalchar, Karbook, Kakraban, Amarpur, Silachari and Satchad in Sabroom to raise awareness among the fishermen about various knowledge and technologies related to fisheries. Besides, a fish market has been constructed in Murasing para of Patichhari market in Santirbazar subdivision of South Tripura district and Baramaidan area of Padmabil block of Khowai district. These will be opened soon, said principal secretary. A call centre will be set up by the Department of Fisheries to assist the fishermen. Director of Fisheries Department Devananda Reang and Joint Director Abani Debbarma were present at the press conference.
