Manimuthar Fish Seed Farm’s production capacity has increased from 48 lakh fingerlings per annum to 60 lakh fingerlings, thanks to the expansion taken up with the funding of NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development). As this fish seed farm supplies fingerlings to in-land fish farmers of southern Tamil Nadu, demand for seed has increased over the years. Hence, NABARD allowed Rs. 12.70 crore for the expansion programme under its Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF). The farm, created on 19 hectares, is the largest seed farm in Tamil Nadu, and it was producing 48 lakh fingerlings in the existing 50,000 square metre area. NABARD has now established 60 new nursery ponds on an area of 12,000 sq. m. to stock the fish seeds. This additional facility is capable of creating another 12 lakh fish seeds. Additional facilities such as a conditioning pond, with a capacity to stock 1 lakh fish seeds, and a packing centre have also been created under this project. These ponds have been established to mainly to stock fish seeds to ensure uninterrupted supply of fingerlings to the farmers for a longer period. Water supply arrangements from the main channel of Manimuthar dam have also been strengthened as part of this project. Chief General Manager and Officer-In-Charge of Tamil Nadu Regional Office of NABARD, S. Nagoor Ali Jinnah, accompanied by General Manager, NABARD, V. Chelladurai, visited the seed farm on Friday. Mr. Jinnah exhorted the officials at the farm to make use of the infrastructure created by NABARD and conserve the traditional fish species by taking steps for increased fish seed production. The project has given facelift to the fish seed farm. With the increased capacity, the officials should ensure uninterrupted supply of fingerlings to the farmers to increase inland fish production that will consequently augment their revenue, Mr. Jinnah said.
2016, The Hindu