Rajasthan government has sanctioned a Rs 2 crore project, greenlighted by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, aimed at providing free fish seeds to 20,000 farmers. Each farmer or water pond (diggi) will receive 1,000 fingerlings of prominent Indian carp varieties, including rohu, catla, and mrigal. This initiative, outlined in the Budget for 2023-24, recently secured financial approval.
Training sessions on fisheries will be conducted at the district level for selected farmers to ensure effective utilization of the provided fish seeds. Rajasthan boasts extensive water bodies covering approximately 430,000 hectares, complemented by about 70 rivers and canals spanning around 30,000 hectares. Over the past three decades, the state has witnessed consistent growth in inland fisheries.
While Rajasthan currently ranks 18th in fish output, the area dedicated to fish culture and production has experienced a noteworthy increase. Large reservoirs contribute about 60% of the total fish production, with tanks and ponds making up the remainder. The productivity of these reservoirs exceeds the national average at 55 kg per hectare.
In line with the commitment to fisheries development, Chief Minister Gehlot had announced the establishment of the Brackish Water Aquaculture Laboratory in Churu district during this year’s Budget speech. Ongoing efforts are in progress to materialize this initiative.
The government is actively promoting innovations in tribal sub-plan areas, focusing on livelihood creation for tribal fishermen in regions such as Jaisamand Dam in Udaipur, Kadana backwater in Dungarpur, and Mahi Bajaj Sagar in Banswara. These efforts underscore the commitment to sustainable fisheries practices and economic empowerment in the state.
