Fish farming thrives at Gadli village

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, March 30

Deputy Commissioner Ravi Bhagat today took stock of the fish farming project at Gadli village in Jandiala Guru.

Talking about the project, Sharanjit Singh, a farmer, told the DC that he was carrying out fish farming in 10 acres and earned Rs 9 lakh annually. He said after every 3 months, he supplied nearly 10 quintals of fish. He said he had provided employment to 20 persons.

Bhagat appreciated efforts of Sharanjit Singh. He said the Punjab Government aimed at giving a boost to agriculture-related activities. Sharanjit informed that the Fisheries Department had extended all possible support to him.

"If the government gives the panchayati land on lease for pisciculture for 10 years instead of five, then it would give a greater push to fish farming. To encourage greater number of farmers to take up pisciculture, more awareness seminars should be organised," he added.

The Deputy Commissioner promised that the demand to provide the panchayati land to on lease for a longer period would be brought to the notice of the state government.

MP Singh, Assistant Director, Fisheries, Amritsar, said 648 farmers had adopted pisciculture on 1,845 acres in the district. He said from the government fish seed farm in Rajasansi, 32.38 lakh seeds of six different types of fish were supplied in 2014-15 and in the same period, 1,953 farmers were given training regarding fish farming. Economic aid is also given to farmers. He said with 6,560 kg of production per hectare, Punjab was the number one in the country. He said in modern times a farmer could earn only Rs 30,000 to 40,000 per acre every year but on the contrary a fish farmer could earn nearly Rs 1.25 lakh per acre.