Shimla: The Himachal Pradesh government is driving growth in the fisheries sector by offering an 80% subsidy on pond construction and projecting potential profits of ₹10.5 lakh per year for fish farmers with one hectare of pond area, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced.
Farmers can construct ponds ranging from 500 square meters to one hectare under the scheme. The government provides ₹9.92 lakh as a subsidy for a one-hectare pond and ₹49,600 for a 500-square-meter pond. The initiative is being implemented in eight districts: Bilaspur, Mandi, Hamirpur, Kangra, Solan, Sirmaur, Chamba, and Una.
Key fish species cultivated include Rohu, Katla, Mrigal, Common Carp, and Grass Carp, which command high market demand. Even smaller 500-square-meter ponds can yield profits of over ₹50,000 annually, while larger ponds can generate up to ₹10.5 lakh.
The chief minister noted an increase in carp production from 6,767 metric tonnes last year to 7,367 metric tonnes this year, with around 2,600 fishermen involved in fish farming.
To further enhance the sector, the government is distributing high-quality fish seeds and has set up a training centre in Gagret, Una. Additionally, an MoU with the Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA) in Bhubaneswar will supply advanced fish species like Jayanti Rohu and Amrit Katla, which show 20-25% faster growth and better disease resistance.
These efforts are aimed at improving livelihoods for fish farmers while ensuring sustainable aquaculture practices across the state.
