Fish seed items distributed among farmers in Cachar by Parimal Suklabaidya

Feb.10: Under the first installment of World Bank’s APART project in the Dholai Assembly Constituency of Cachar district, fish feed, lime and fish seed were distributed among 60 beneficiaries of four groups under the Borjalenga Block. Minister for Forests and Environment, Fisheries and Excise, Parimal Suklabaidya officially distributed fish feed items on Wednesday.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister Suklabaidya highlighted the landmark steps taken by the Fisheries Department along with various schemes. Minister Suklabaidya said, “The local fish production in the State is now self sufficient and we don’t have to import fish from Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal. Starting from the new generation of Borjalenga development block, the local fish farmers have become self-reliant. So far, fish production in the State has increased from 2.94 lakh metric tonnes to 3.93 lakh metric tonnes, an increase of 33.6%.”

“In 2021-22, the target in our State is 4.32 lakh metric tonnes. All the fish are being produced locally. From that point of view, per capita fish consumption has increased from 0.5 kg to 11 kg per annum which is only possible owing to the active progressive fish farmers of our State,” stated Minister Suklabaidya.

Highlighting the developmental activities of Fisheries Department in the district, Minister Suklabaidya said, “In Cachar district, according to a report of 2020-21, there has been an increase of 36,148 metric tonnes. Altogether 1,721 numbers of beneficiaries benefitted under Pradhan Mantri Matshya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). We are going to provide 4 numbers of 4 wheelers, 25 numbers of 3 wheelers for marketing fish in fresh condition under RIDF XXVII, 2021-22. Our Hon’ble Chief Minister took firm step to create employment opportunities by engaging the rural youths in pisciculture activities under the Chief Minister Samagra Gramin Unnayan Yojana, under which 5,000 hectare water areas will be created in the State for modern scientific fish culture which will cover one hectare water body in each revenue village. I would request all interested farmers to avail the benefits of this project”.

While emphasising on the various schemes taken up by Fisheries Department, he said, “Under the Chief Minister Samagra Gramin Unnayan Achini, 270 numbers of village community tanks will be built, for which necessary application forms are being distributed from the Office of the District Fisheries Development, Cachar. This scheme will change the total scenario of fish production in Cachar as well as in the entire State. Fishermen are already being provided free insurance under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampad Yojana (PMMSY), including 35 fisherman houses in Borjalenga Block. As a result of the efforts, a project called “Ghare Ghare Phukuri Ghare Ghare Mach” has already been launched across the state. It will boost fish production in the State.”

“In order to encourage fish farming amongst fish farmers in the Borjalenga Block, a Bio-Floc project has been started with introduction of high quality fish production projects like the Circulatory Aquaculture System, which has been possible only due to the keen interest evinced by the youth of the region”, Suklabaidya quipped.

In his address, District Fisheries Development Officer, Rafiqul Haque highlighted the various fishery projects under the Chief Minister Samagra Gramin Unnayan Yojana, Rashtriya Krishi Vikash Yojana (RKVY), Assam Agribusiness & Rural Transformation Project ( APART) and Prime Minister Matsya Sampada Yojana, etc and also asked the farmers to avail benefits under the said projects. Additional Deputy Commissioner, Pankaj Deka, Nodal Officer, District Fisheries Department, Dibyajyoti Nath, departmental authorities and local GP representatives were also present on the occasion.