JAMMU, December 3: The Director of Fisheries, Mohammad Farooq Dar, undertook a comprehensive tour of Samba and Kathua districts to evaluate the advancements made under various developmental schemes within the Fisheries Sector. As part of the inspection, the National Fish Seed Farm in Kathua underwent scrutiny.
During the tour, the Director commended the accomplishments of the Integrated Fish Farming Unit at Datta Tallab, Birpur, Purmanadal District Samba. A forward-thinking farmer, engaged in fish farming since 2011, has successfully integrated fish culture with agriculture, horticulture, and floriculture activities.
Of notable mention was the establishment of a recreational pond by the farmer, drawing attention from the local populace. Beyond substantial income generation, the farmer is also contributing to employment opportunities for the local youth.
The Director urged officials to provide continuous support to existing unit holders, fostering the establishment of more such units in the district to augment fish production. Emphasizing the need to encourage and assist farmers in initiating fisheries projects, the Director visited the Large RAS Unit in Bari Brahamna, District Samba. He highlighted the potential for Warm water fisheries exploitation in both District Samba and Kathua and called for technological interventions such as RAS and Biofloc.
During an interaction with a farmer in Village Jarai, District Kathua, who established a Carp Fish pond under the PMSSY Scheme, the Director stressed that adopting new technology in fish farming could contribute to the economic upliftment of local communities, providing quality protein for their diets.
District officers were instructed to identify potential areas for setting up additional fish farming units under a cluster-based approach, facilitating organized marketing channels for fishers to enhance returns. The Director also directed District Officers to disseminate information about PMSSSY and other beneficiary-oriented schemes under HADP among the general public.
