The Punjab government today okayed comprehensive proposal for complete renovation and upgradation of 14 Fish Seed Farms throughout the state at the cost of Rs.38 crores and 7 Fish Farms would be ready within this financial year. Disclosing this here today Punjab Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and Dairy Development Minister S. Gulzar Singh Ranike said that Punjab government has already finalized a comprehensive plan to encourage farmers to go in for fisheries as a larger plan of the government to encourage agriculture persification. He said that the Punjab government has drawn up a separate plan to promote fisheries in water logged areas of Malwa and was encouraging farmers to adopt fisheries. He said that the department was also focusing on effective marketing of fishery products to give remunerative price of their produce to the farmers and state government had already pleaded Union government to set up cold chain for fisheries products for their national and international marketing.
Reviewing the working of fisheries department, the Minister said that National Federation of Fishers Cooperatives Ltd. (FIHSCOPFED) has already insured 1639 fishermen as a token appreciation. The Minister further said that 190 applications has been received to adopt the fisheries as profession from the state. He further said a proposal has been finalized for the establishment of ultra modern training centre at district Amritsar and the same has been sent to Agriculture Department for funds under RKVY scheme.In the meeting Sh. G. Vijralingam, Secretary, Animal Husbandry; Dr. H.S. Sandha, Director, Animal Husbandry; Sh. Inderjit Singh, Director, Dairy Development Board and Sh. V.K. Sood, Director, Fisheries were also present.