Rs 11 cr for fish farming in Punjab

Punjab government on Monday said it has earmarked funds to the tune of Rs 11.16 crore for 2013-14 to promote fish farming in the state.

Disclosing this here today, Punjab Fisheries minister Gulzar Singh Ranike said an outlay of Rs 11.16 crore has been earmarked in the annual plan 2013-14 against Rs 10.55 crore during 2012-13.

He said that farmers were adopting intensive fish culture in ponds and tanks on modern scientific lines through composite fish culture of fast growing species.

The Minister said at present 11,287 hectares of area is under fish culture with about 8,000 fish farmers engaged in the same.

Punjab has the highest average fish production of 6560 kg per hectare against the national average of 3000 kg per hectare.

There are 868 km of rivers and 4370 hectares of reservoirs and 16,585 km of canals as notified water areas added the minister.