Farmlands in Jind to be converted into fish ponds

Vishal Joshi

The state government has mooted a novel initiative to convert chronic waterlogged farmlands in Jind into revenue-generating fish ponds. Deputy Commissioner Amit Khatri says Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has given in-principle approval to the project.

“Around 500 acres in Julana and Pillukhera blocks of the district are proposed to be covered under the initiative. Due to its geographical conditions, a sizeable portion of the land in the two blocks remains waterlogged during most of the year. Draining out water from low-lying areas with electrical pumps is also not a permanent solution,” says Khatri.

He says a project is being devised for the use of unproductive land for fish farming, thus enhancing the income of farmers. Besides freshwater fish, the state Fisheries Department will explore the possibility of prawn harvesting in suitable saline conditions, he adds.

District Fisheries Officer Yudhvir Singh Sangwan says that the state authorities will develop the land as fish ponds. The land is then proposed to be leased out to a third party for fish farming. He clarifies the final modalities are being framed. However, it will be ensured that a landowner gets a remunerative deal.

“It has been planned that the state authorities will sign a contract with farmers for the proposed project that will also involve a third party. We will also try to encourage farmers to adopt fish farming individually or by floating cooperative societies for the purpose,” adds Sangwan.

He says the most popular freshwater varieties of fish such as ‘Rohu’, ‘Mrigal’, ‘Catla’, common carp, silver carp and grass carp may be reared at the proposed sites. The seeds of these commercially viable breeds are available with the Fisheries Department, he adds.

“We are working to identify land in a cluster of three villages for the project. Once the final terms and conditions are framed, the work to sensitise farmers about the project and taking their assent will be started,” he adds.