Post News Network
Berhampur, April 11: Even as Ganjam district tops the state in fish production, the total quantum of fish produced in the locality is not sufficient to meet the demand of the district.
Amidst tall claims of the government to have launched a number of schemes to boost the fish production in the district, hundreds of trucks of fish are transported from neighbouring Andhra Pradesh to meet the demand in the district.
According to experts, as most of the water reservoirs in the district are used for irrigation, it reduces the quantity of fish production.
Official sources mentioned that there are 24 middle and large-sized water reservoirs, besides 7897 tanks and ponds in the district, where fish is being cultivated. The highest amount of fish is produced in Sorada, Bhanjanagar and Digapahandi blocks.
Prawns are cultivated in the saline water bodies on the bordering areas of the district. Chhatrapur, Chikiti and Rangeilunda blocks produce a major amount of prawns even though the amount of fish production is less in these areas.
According to the Fisheries and Animal Resources Department (FARD), there was a continuous growth in production of fish between 2009-10 and 2012-13. However, in 2013-14, the production of fish has decreased due to cyclonic storm Phailin.
Even as the district shares 25 per cent of total fishermen and fish farmers’ population in the state, almost all of them depend on country boats for fishing.
The main reasons for decreased fish production include of lack proper training, promotional measures and storage facility, squeezing of water reservoirs and water bodies.
When contacted, district fisheries officer Subrat Dash said a number of measures have been taken to increase fish production in 2015-16. The FARD has decided to dig as many as 170 ponds in the district for pisciculture. Around 200 farmers will be imparted training on modern techniques of pisciculture.
The state and the central government have a number of schemes to boost the fish production. These programmes are implemented by bodies like Fish Farmer Development Agency and National Fisheries Development Board, Dash added.
These schemes work for boosting fish production and securing livelihood of fishermen and fish farmers by contributing to digging of ponds, imparting skills for pisciculture, providing housing schemes and insurance coverage for fish farmers and fishermen.
That apart, the fish farmers are being provided with loans at subsidised rate of interest. Modern boats, fish seedlings and fish feed are being provided to fish farmers at subsidised price, said Dash.
Private firms are being promoted to open ice factories to preserve fish. The reservoirs are being dredged to increase the water-level in order to boost fish production.
