The Punjab Government today announced 50 percent subsidy for all districts on fish farming besides releasing Rs. 3 crore for the districts out of the affect of water logging. Disclosing this here today Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries Minister Mr. Gulzar Singh Ranike said that earlier the subsidy had been provided to only those districts facing severe problems of water logging but now the state has decided to extend the 50 percent subsidy cover for all districts. He said that Punjab has huge potential in fish farming, which could be explore to new scales by increasing the culture of fish farming. He said that Punjab has unlimited possibilities in fish farming in bet belts, village ponds etc. He said that this subsidy would prove a boon for the farmers having lands in saline areas and on the banks of Satluj, Beas, Ghaggar rivers.
Meanwhile, Director Fisheries Mr. Inderjit Singh informed that farmers having 1 acre land under fish farming would get Rs. 60,000 for digging as per the norms of department, Rs. 20000 for feed purposes and Rs. 18000 to purchase aerator for increasing amount of oxygen in water. He said that this is the appropriate time for digging of ponds and putting fish seeds to start fish farming. He also informed that the desirous farmers could contact Deputy Director Fisheries in their respective districts or get requisite information from the helpline number of department 0172-2705827. It is pertinent to mention here that Punjab has 37000 acres land under fish farming. He said that department was being provided five day training at all fish seed farms in the districts on first and third Monday of every month for the facilitation of fish farmers and farmers should take full advantage of this.