Fisheries Department succeeded in taking up shrimp cultivation in 11 reservoirs

 Telangana | Written by : Suryaa Desk Updated: Wed, Jul 18, 2018, 11:27 AM

 In a rare achievement, the Fisheries Department in Telangana succeeded in taking up shrimp cultivation in 11 reservoirs and earned a revenue of Rs 8 crore against an expenditure of Rs 1.34 crore in the last season.

Further, the efforts of the State government turned fruitful with fishermen generating revenue of Rs 2,800 crore for the fisheries sector from reservoirs and other water bodies in the State. The government released 54 crore fishlings into various water bodies and empowered fishermen to catch the fish to earn a livelihood.Speaking to press persons here on Tuesday, Animal Husbandry Minister Talasani Srinivas Yadav said the Fisheries Department would increase shrimp cultivation as it yielded good results during last season. “We will release 80 crore fish seedlings into different reservoirs and other water bodies this year,” he said.

“Involvement of private persons or agencies will be completely restricted to ensure that the fruits of government schemes reach the eligible persons,” he said. In all, about 1.7 lakh families are estimated to benefit directly and another three lakh families will benefit indirectly from the government schemes on fishing.The Minister said a new fisheries policy would be announced soon to develop the sector in collaboration with private companies. While fish markets were being constructed for domestic marketing, he said food processing units are being encouraged to open their units and take up exports to cater to the needs of international market.

“The State government is spending about Rs 1,000 crore for development and welfare of fishermen community in the State. Beneficiaries are being selected in a transparent manner and are being presented with two-wheelers, autorickshaws and trucks at 75-100 per cent subsidy,” he added.

Animal Husbandry Secretary Sandeep Kumar Sultania, Fisheries Commissioner Suvarna and other officials were present.