Progressive fish farmer brothers Balraj Singh and Nirmal Singh of paraul are acting as torch bearers and paving a way for those farmers, who are facing financial crisis. They had started the fish farming in the year 1995 and at present they are doing fish farming on 20 Acres of land.Explaining further Balraj Singh said that they got initial training for this farming from Fisheries Department, Punjab and they are mainly supplying 05 varieties of fishes, which includes Rohu, Catla, Golden Fish, Mrigal and Grasscarp. Per acre production varies from 22 to 25 quintal which has been sold at average price of Rs. 100 per kg. As such, the income from one acre land touch the mark of Rs. 2.5 lacs. He said that the office of Fishery department, Punjab situated at SAS Nagar is fully cooperating and guiding them. With the advice of this department they have moved forward for the new variety called Pangas and introduced 10,000 seeds in their ponds.
As per the assurance of the department this variety would give an output of 50 quintals per acre which would raise their income.Balraj Singh said that although the department provides assistance regarding marketing but they themselve also work on marketing. Mostly they sell the big part of their produce at Chandigarh. Besides, Fish Farming they are also engaged in Dairy Farming and Agriculture. They appealed the farmers to move ahead for fishery as an allied occupation, it would definitely boost their income.In this regard, Senior Fisheries Officer, Jatinder Singh Gill said that fishery is very beneficial occupation for farmers. District SAS Nagar shares its boundaries with Chandigarh because of which marketing is not a big issue. He disclosed that the department also provides five days initial technical training to those farmers, who want to go ahead for fish farming. During this farmers are trained according to the requirements. Department also provides subsidy for digging of ponds.