The fisheries department in Bhagalpur district has initiated a campaign aimed at raising awareness among the farming community about the benefits of fish farming (pisciculture) in lowland and wasteland areas under the innovative Mukhyamantri Integrated Chaur Vikas Yojana (MICVY).
Officials revealed plans to allocate over 1000 hectares of land in Bhagalpur district for fish farming under the MICVY initiative. This strategic endeavour not only seeks to generate additional employment opportunities for farmers but also aims at conserving groundwater resources while enhancing the region’s biodiversity by attracting migratory birds through the creation of supplementary water reservoirs.
Krishna Kanhaiya, the District Fisheries Officer (DFO), outlined the objectives of MICVY, emphasizing its focus on establishing ponds and water bodies in lowland or wasteland areas for fish cultivation. In addition to fish farming, the initiative will enable farmers to engage in horticulture, agro-forestry, integrated plantations, and other related activities, thereby fostering positive socio-economic changes within the farming community.
According to the DFO, eligible farmers are required to submit their applications to the fisheries department along with relevant details for the development of ponds on their lowland or wasteland areas. The state government is poised to provide subsidies for pond construction, as well as additional financial support for horticultural, agro-forestry, and related endeavours undertaken by beneficiary farmers on their lands.
