The fishery department of Government of Punjab is taking special initiatives for promoting fish farming so that farmers can diversify as well as get good monetary returns. Since April 2017 till now, the fish farmers in district have been disbursed subsidy of Rs. 11 lac 50 thousand 200.Giving this information here today the Deputy Commissioner Moga Mr. Dilraj Singh stated that the Punjab government offers 50 percent subsidy digging new ponds for the fish farming to help farmers supplement their income. He added that fish farming adds to diversification of agriculture.Mr. Dilraj Singh stated that Punjab government provides training and bank loans for the fish farming. Besides this, free insurance of the fish farmers is also done. He added that 248 acres of land in Moga has been brought under fish farming during current financial year, wherein 10.47 lacs fish seed have been stocked and fish farmers have produced and sold around 728 tonnes of fish seed. He added that the fishery department gave free fish farming training to 80 individuals and Rs. 3.5 lacs loans have been given by various banks for starting fish farming.
Assistant Project Director (fishery) Moga Sh. Sukhwinder Singh stated that besides this, the Punjab government also given many kinds of facilities to the fish farmers. He added that as per the departmental standards, after a farmer has dug pond for fish farming, he is given subsidy Rs. 60,000 and another subsidy Rs. 20,000 per acre for first year for fish feed and seed. Also another 50 percent subsidy is given to install aerators in the ponds that increase oxygen content in water to produce healthier fish and save it from dying due to lack of oxygen in water because of change in weather conditions. He added that Rs. 23,000 subsidy is given on 4 pedal aerator and Rs. 18,000 subsidy is given on 2 pedal aerator from government approved firm. He said that for further information one can contact District Administrative Complex Moga (Satluj block), office of Assistant Project Director fishery or call 01636-238272.