Leaping forward towards heralding an era of ‘blue revolution’ in the state, the Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today gave nod for modernizing all the 14 fish farms across the state at a cost of Rs 25 crore.Presiding over a high level meeting to prepare the blueprint for promoting pesciculture in the state here at his residence this morning, the Chief Minister said that all the fish farms/ hatcheries of the state must be equipped with the state-of-the art infra structure so as increase fish production. He said that there was a huge gap between the demand and supply of the fish seeds in the state which could be filled only by augmenting the fish seed production in the government farms. Mr. Badal said that within six months all the farms/ hatcheries of the state must be provided with hi-end infra structure so that a big boost could be given to the fish production in the state.
In another significant decision, the Chief Minister also gave his concurrence for installing Mini Feed Mills in these fish cum demonstration farms so as to provide quality fish feed to farmers. Likewise, he also gave approval for opening ‘Fish Training Skill centres’ in these farms, which would be instrumental in imparting quality training to the farmers and the unemployed youth to promote pisciculture in the state. “There is a tremendous scope in fishery in the state and it can help us transforming the destiny of our beleaguered peasantry, which is facing a major agrarian crisis” added Mr. Badal adding he said that the untapped huge potential for fish production should be fully exploited by educating the fish farmers on scientific lines.
The Chief Minister also batted for providing the best training to the officers of the state Fishery department from GADVASU and other reputed institutions both within the country and abroad. He also asked the Fisheries department to explore the possibility of opening processing centres in the fish farms so as to supplement the income of the farmers. Mr. Badal also gave nod for rationalizing the existing the staff in the fishery department besides allowing recruitment on the vacant posts.Prominent amongst other present in the meeting included Financial Commissioner Animal Husbandry, Dairy and Fishery Dr. G Vajralingam, Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Dr. S Karuna Raju, Director Animal Husbandry Dr. HS Sandha, Director Dairy Development and Fishery Mr. Inderjeet Singh and Vice Chancellor GADVASU Dr AS Nanda.