Chhattisgarh has secured the position as the fifth largest state in India when it comes to fish seed production, showcasing an impressive growth trajectory in the pisciculture sector. The state’s strategic focus on empowering fish farmers, coupled with favourable policies and infrastructure, has contributed to this remarkable achievement.
The big shift came as a result of ‘farming’ status granted to pisciculture by the Congress led Chhattisgarh Government, which has led to a significant reduction in the production costs of fish seeds. The benefits extended to fish farmers include exemptions in electricity rates, access to free water, and the provision of interest-free loans. Consequently, this has not only decreased overheads but also augmented the income of fish farmers.
Chhattisgarh’s journey to becoming a prominent fish seed producer in the country can be attributed to multiple factors.
Private sector involvement in fish research has seen an upswing, underpinning the state’s commitment to fostering innovation in pisciculture. Notably, Chhattisgarh clinched the prestigious “Best Inland State” award in the fisheries domain, validating its sustained efforts.
The fisheries landscape in Chhattisgarh is marked by holistic development initiatives spanning from fish seed production to marketing.
The state has achieved self-sufficiency in fish seed supply, with the help of welfare schemes. The state witnessed a remarkable 37% surge in fish seed production over the past five years, with figures rising from 251 crore to 344 crore standard fry.
To attain self-reliance through pisciculture, fish farmers are actively participating in fish seed promotion programs by cultivating fish seeds in seasonal ponds. Over 5,000 fish farmers have already benefited from this scheme, and an additional 500 fish farmers are set to promote fish seed production in the upcoming years.
This dedication has led to the establishment of 23 new circular fish seed hatcheries in the last quarter, adding to the existing tally of 92 fish circular hatcheries.
What sets Chhattisgarh’s efforts apart is the focus on providing high-quality fish seeds tailored to the demands of fish farmers not only within the state but also across states like West Bengal, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala, and Goa.
The success story of Chhattisgarh’s fish seed production stands as a testament to the transformative potential of focused government support, infrastructure development and a commitment in nurturing its pisciculture sector