By TC News Desk
Agartala, 28th November 2024: Tripura’s Fisheries Minister Sudhangshu Das announced on Thursday that a proposal of Rs 10 crore has been submitted to the North Eastern Council (NEC) to support fish farmers. Under this proposal, fish farmers who own at least a ‘Kani’ of water body will receive Rs 56,000 for fish farming. Additionally, an Aqua Park is planned for the Satero Miah Haor area in Kailashahar subdivision of Unakoti district, expected to produce 5,000 metric tonnes (MTs) of fish.
“Currently, Tripura demands 1 lakh 17 thousand metric tonnes of fish annually. Of this, the state produces 85,000 MTs, while the remaining 32,000 MTs are procured from Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Bangladesh, and Odisha,” Minister Das stated during the distribution of benefits to fish farmers under various schemes at Sukanta Academy in Agartala. “Once the Aqua Park project is executed, it will add 5,000 MTs to the state’s production,” he added.
Minister Das highlighted the benefits available for fish farmers through central and state schemes. “The department is tirelessly working to introduce various schemes to support fish farmers. Under the Matsya Sahayata Yojana, 3,000 fish farmers received Rs 6,000 per annum in the 2023-24 fiscal year. This number will increase to 5,500 farmers in the 2024-25 fiscal year,” he explained.
He detailed several initiatives under the Matsya Sampad Bikash Yojana, which cover expenses for the construction, maintenance, and renovation of water bodies, fish food, training, and brainstorming sessions for fish farmers. Soil and water testing are also included. “Initiatives under the PM Sampada Yojana aim to double the income of fish farmers. We provide three-wheeler vehicles with small cold storage for selling various fishes and offer a 60 percent subsidy to SC & ST women beneficiaries and a 40 percent subsidy to general category fish farmers,” Das said. He urged farmers to contact their nearest fishery office to avail these benefits and mentioned the ‘Fish Kiosk,’ a four-wheeler vehicle provided by the central government for selling fresh and hygienic fish items.
“Tripura lacks large water bodies and coastal areas, so we must renovate unutilized water bodies to decrease the gap in fish production. Pisciculture is highly profitable, with a fishling costing Rs 2 and selling for Rs 300 per big fish. Increasing fish production will boost employment across the state,” Das told the gathering.
Sabhadipati of Paschim Tripura Zilla Parishad (PTZP) Balai Goswami presided over the programme while Secretary of Fisheries Department Deepa D Nair gave the welcome address.
The event saw the distribution of benefits to 650 fish farmers from Jirania, Mohanpur and Sadar subdivisions under West Tripura district, with a total expenditure of Rs 38 lakhs. MLA Mina Rani Sarkar and Fisheries Director Santosh Das were also present at the event.
