Ahmedabad, Nov 21: The Department of Fisheries in Anantnag district, Jammu and Kashmir, has earned top honours for its exceptional contributions to the robust development of fish and fisheries. The national recognition was bestowed upon Anantnag as the best-performing district across all Union Territories in the country.
The prestigious award, comprising a trophy and a certificate of merit, was presented at the World Fisheries Day celebration held at Gujarat Science City in Ahmedabad. The event, presided over by Purshotam Rupala, Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, witnessed the gathering of fisheries experts from national and international domains.
Union Minister Rupala commended the efforts of the Department of Fisheries, particularly in the realm of coldwater Fisheries in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. He highlighted the various schemes launched by the Government of India, including those under PMMSY, aimed at promoting fish marketing, branding, and export. Rupala encouraged the youth to leverage these schemes for developing market linkages, especially in establishing cold chains to secure better prices for their produce.
Under the leadership of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and the guidance of Principal Secretary, Agriculture Production Department, Shailendra Kumar, the Kashmir region is positioned as a focal point for Cold Water Fisheries development. The UT government has introduced special subsidy components to attract more farmers to embrace this lucrative venture, contributing to increased productivity and income for fishers.
Director of Fisheries, Mohammad Farooq Dar, emphasized the department’s commitment to enhancing farmers’ resourcefulness through the implementation of various schemes, facilitating trout marketing and export to other states. Anantnag, a frontrunner in trout production, is not only a hub for trout but also a destination for ecotourism, attracting both local and foreign anglers. The effective implementation of schemes like PMMSY, HADP, FIDF aims to double trout production in the next five years, creating valuable employment opportunities for educated unemployed youth.
