Minister for Animal, Sheep Husbandry and Fisheries, Abdul Gani Kohli has stressed for providing proper guidance, awareness about fish farming among the farmers so that they can be benefitted from various flagship programmes.The Minister said this while speaking at a concluding function held in connection with 3-Day Skill Development Programme on composite Fish Culture organized by the Fisheries Department at Regional Fish Farmers Development Agency with the assistance of National Fisheries Development Board, here today. The Minister said that the Government is committed to promote the fish culture in the state for which several initiatives have already been taken and various programmes are in pipeline. He said the Jammu and Kashmir has a huge scope of fish farming but the need is to provide proper guidance and latest techniques to the interested farmers. He said that there is immense scope for promoting the cold as well as warm water fisheries across the state owing to its varied agro-climatic condition.
Kohli said such training programme can help the farmers for boosting fish farming and improve socio-economic conditions of the farmers. He said by adopting pisciculture, it will not only help to increase in income but also create employment opportunities to the unemployed educated youth.Several flagship programmes have been launched by the Centre and State Governments with the aim to improve socio-economic conditions of the people of the weaker sections of the society, the Minister said adding that instructions have already been given to the administration to aware general masses about these schemes so that they can be benefited. He also appealed the people to come forward and take advantage of these welfare schemes.The Minister also went around various stalls and appreciated the department for organizing such events. He hoped that the maximum farmers have taken the benefit of the training programme and also asked the fish rearing farmers that the experience gained during the training programme should be reach to other fish rearing community.
On the occasion, Kohli distributed 111 Bicycles and 4 Auto Rikhshaw among the registered fishermen of various districts of Jammu division. He also handed over certificates among the participants.The famers present on the occasion also put forth their demands and suggestions including covering Private Fish Farmers under Fish Insurance Scheme and proper transport facility to Private Farmers so that they can send their produce to markets without delay.The Minister gave them patient hearing and assured them that their genuine demands will be looked into.Director Fisheries, R K Pandita also spoke on the occasion and highlighted the activities of the Department.