SHILLONG: Fisheries Minister Comingone Ymbon said the state government will put a thrust on local fish production following assistance of over Rs 51 crore from the central government.
The minister informed that the department had sent a proposal in August for financial assistance to develop fisheries under the centrally sponsored scheme ‘Blue Revolution: Integrated development and management of Fisheries’ for the year 2018-19.
“We will be launching it by the end of this month. After the implementation of the scheme, we will be able to increase fish production to 7,000 metric tonnes if everything goes smoothly,” he told a section of reporters.
However, the minister maintained that import of fishes from other parts of the country will still continue. “We have received a sanction of Rs 51,97,90,000 for construction of new fish ponds.
There are many components in the scheme,” he said.
He said the department will construct 1,000 ha of new ponds for private sector. “We can produce fish over 7,000 metric tonnes if we are able to complete the implementation of 1,000 ha of new fish ponds,” he said.
Ymbon also pointed to another component of the scheme that includes construction of permanent farming unit and raceway in government sector.
“There are not many but the government has only 2 to 3 places to improve the raceway. We will also construct retail fish outlets in the government sector and we have already identified the place in Shillong and Tura,” he said.
As for setting up retail fish outlets in private sector, he said, “We target 50 private local fish producers. The 50 beneficiaries can have their private retail outlets in the state but it all depends on their applications and the committee will study their applications. The scheme will be Rs 10 lakh.
For better transportation of fishes from ponds to retail outlets, Ymbon said the department will also purchase refrigerated trucks.
“The total cost of the project is Rs 94,41,40,000 in which 60 per cent is from the state government, 25 per cent is from the banks, 15 per cent is from the beneficiaries,” he said.
He added that the Centre has already released Rs 25.95 lakh as the first instalment for this year.
