30-05-2025
Jharkhand eyes pole position in country's fish production
Ranchi: Jharkhand has set an ambitious target of producing 10 lakh metric tonnes of fish per hectare in the next five years to establish itself as a front-runner in fish production in the country.
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Once the target is achieved, Jharkhand would surpass Andhra Pradesh in the Blue Revolution, state minister for agriculture, animal husbandry and cooperation, Shilpi Neha Tirkey, said on Thursday.
While distributing financial help to fish farmers at the state's first fish festival, 'Jharkhand Matsya Mahotsav', here, Tirkey said, "My department has set the ambitious target of producing 10 lakh metric tonnes of fish per hectare from the current 3.5 lakh metric tonnes.
To achieve the target, the govt is going to implement a comprehensive strategy."
She also announced plans to establish model ponds for fish farming in every block and panchayat of the state.
In recent years, Jharkhand has proved its potential to become a significant player in aquaculture and the state's fish production has witnessed a remarkable growth from 14,000 metric tonnes annually in 2000 to 3.11 lakh metric tonnes in the 2023-24 financial year.
During the event, the minister distributed Rs 2 lakh each to 75 fishery cooperative societies to promote fish farming and economic prosperity in the state.
"For the first time in the history of Jharkhand, such a festival is being organised and fish producers are getting the benefit of it. The financial aid is expected to bolster the efforts of the cooperatives and resolve their problems and challenges," the minister said, emphasising the need for rejuvenating water bodies across the state.
The minister also announced that around 35 fish producers from the state would soon be sent to Hyderabad for advanced training in the sector.
