Patna, Aug 13: (ABN) To take the fisheries sector to new heights in Bihar, the state government has launched 'Vision 2030. Work on Bihar Fisheries Priority Project has been accelerated. The government aims to make Bihar one of the leading inland fisheries states of the country and significantly increase the income, employment and business opportunities of the fishing families with fish production. Under this objective, a plan has been prepared to strengthen the entire fisheries value chain from production to processing, value addition and marketing.
Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Thursday at 'Sankalp' Auditorium at Lok Sevak Awas on 'Vision 2030. Reviewed Bihar Fisheries Priority Project. On this occasion, he directed the officers to prepare a clear, stepwise and practical action plan for the comprehensive promotion of fisheries in the state and start implementing it quickly.
Under Vision 2030, it is proposed to develop special fisheries clusters in different areas of the state through 8 priority projects. Under these projects, a direct intervention area of ​​1,848.75 hectares and a project-affected area of ​​9,357 hectares will be developed. The government has proposed a target of achieving a total of 50,200 metric tons of fish production through these projects. The government believes that the establishment of a special fisheries cluster will also promote activities related to fish production, storage, processing, packaging, transportation and marketing at the local level. In this way, fisheries will not be limited to fish production only but can become a major source of employment and income in rural areas.
Special attention will be given to developing different types of fisheries clusters in Siwan, Saran, Monger, Mithila and Motihari keeping in view the potential of fisheries and local water resources. Overall development of wetland cluster in Sivan, production of large fresh water prawns in Saran, cage culture in Monger, wetland based fisheries in Mithila especially in Madhubani area and development of fish overall cluster in Motihari is proposed. Through the project, modern fishing model will be promoted according to the natural characteristics of different areas and available water resources.
The Chief Minister said that the water resources in the state should be used in the best possible way. He emphasized on the promotion of modern technology, scientific methods and modern fishing techniques, and said that with continuous increase in fish production, sustainable increase in the income of fishing families should be ensured. He asked the officers to provide modern techniques, training and necessary facilities to the people working in the fishing sector, so that more production can be achieved with less resources.
The Chief Minister also emphasized the need to make fisheries cooperative societies more robust and functional. He said that necessary support should be provided to cooperative institutions to increase their skills, productivity and income. By providing support to fishermen for skill development, technical capacity enhancement, better management, modern equipment and increase in production, their economic condition will be strengthened and overall income will increase.
In order to provide financial resources for these priority projects, it is proposed to seek financial assistance through Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) and Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). Under this, efforts will be made to promote activities related to processing, value addition, cold chain, marketing and employment.
Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary said that Bihar has vast potential in fisheries sector. To convert these opportunities into economic growth, it is necessary to strengthen the entire value chain from production to processing, value addition and marketing. He said that "Vision 2030" will make fisheries an effective tool to increase the income of farmers and fishermen, create new employment opportunities and strengthen the rural economy of Bihar.
Dairy, Fisheries and Animal Husbandry Resources Minister Nand Kishore Ram, Chief Minister's Principal Secretary Deepak Kumar, Chief Secretary Pratiye Amrit, Chief Minister's Secretary Sanjay Kumar Singh, Cooperative Department Secretary Dharminder Singh, Dairy, Fisheries and Animal Husbandry Resources Secretary Shrasht Kapil Ashok, Director Fisheries Tushar Singla and other senior officers were present in the meeting.