To promote diversification and promote fisheries as an alternate venture, the Punjab government for the first time to have organized a Punjab Fish Festival-2016 at Ludhiana.Divulging these details, Mr. Gulzar Singh Ranike, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Minister Punjab said that the Punjab Fish Festival-2016 would be organized on April 24 and 25 by the Punjab fisheries department in collaboration with the National Fishery Development Board Hyderabad. He said that the Mela would be aimed at giving maximum exposure to the Fish Farmers so that they could derive maximum benefits out of this. He also said that the South-west districts which are water logged would be developed for fisheries at a large scale. The Minister also said that during the two day Festival, technical sessions have been planned. There would be ample exposure and guidance by the renowned scientists from all over the country in the field of Fisheries, new techniques adopted by the Fish Farms in the state.
The Mela would also witness an exhibition on the hi-tech machinery and other essential items required in fish farming. During the Festival the important of fish in the daily food would also be highlighted besides displaying the food stalls.The Minister further said that the progressive fish farmers would also be honored on the occasion and they would also be encouraged to share their experiences, knowledge and achievements in the field of fish farming with others. The minister also said that this type of festival would be organized every year in the state.Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Madan Mohan Director cum Warden Fisheries Punjab said that Fish Farming has recorded tremendous contribution in generating employment and thereby giving impetus to the state’s economy. The state government was also on constant move to improve fisheries in Punjab. He said that at present about 38 acres of land was under Fish Farming producing 1 lakh 20 thousand tones of fish every year. He said that Punjab has got all the required infrastructure for fish farming and the existing set up was being strengthened further.
At present there are 14 government Fish Seed Farms and about 2347 lakh seeds are being produced which would reinforce the Fish farming in Punjab. To promote Fisheries, he said that Regional Central Institute of Fresh water Aquaculture was being set up in Bathinda. The water logged districts were also being developed as an appropriate place for fish farming and 90% subsidy was also being given to the farmers adopting fish farming as a venture. Other districts were being given 50% subsidy for setting up of fish farming units. Besides this to streamline the Fish marketing, centrally air conditioned Fish markets were also being developed. Such Air-conditioned fish markets have already been set up in Amritsar, Ludhiana and Bathinda, he said.