Principal Secretary, Animal and Sheep Husbandry, Navin Kumar Choudhary today chaired the maiden Union Territory Level Approval and Monitoring Committee (UTLAMC) meeting for approval of DPR of Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) 2020-21 for UT of J&K at Civil Secretariat here.
The meeting was attended by Sheetal Nanda, Secretary, Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, Mohd. Amin Mir, Director Fisheries, M.Y. Bhat, Director Planning, Jal Shakti Department, Fayaz Ahmad Zargar, Vice President J&K UTSLBC, Dr. Farooz Ahmad Bhat, Head, Division of FRM, SKUAST-K and Dr. Arif Bashir Technical Officer ASHF.
Principal Secretary highlighted the importance of recently launched economic package of Government of India under Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan (Self Reliant India) for fisheries Sector to bring “Blue Revolution” through sustainable development of fisheries under Pardhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).
Principal Secretary said that the main objective of the PMMSY is to create direct employment opportunities, double the income of fish farmers and increasing fish production through sustainable fishing practices.The scheme will focus on creating critical modernization and strengthening of value chain & improve availability of certified quality fish seed/ feed.
Director Fisheries, J &K presented the achievements of the Fisheries Department and informed the house that fisheries sector is playing a vital role to build entrepreneurship avenues. He said that so far 1073 Carp rearing units and 534 Trout rearing units and 01 Trout hatchery has been established in private sector. He said that around 17398 professional fishermen of the Union Territory derive their livelihood from natural water resources on nominal average license fee of Rs. 400 or 500 per annum.
The department has established, 19 Carp fish farms and 51 Trout farms/ rearing Units, 16 Trout hatcheries, 05 Carp hatcheries, 02 Aquaria, recreational centers, marketing outlets and Trout beats in the various districts of the Union Territory as per the feasibility.
During the past three decades, the Department of Fisheries has established vast infrastructure in the shape of Hatcheries, Fish Farms, Fish Rearing Units, Laboratories in all the districts on the basis of their potential besides establishment of Mega Aquarium at Bagh-e-Bahu, Asia’s largest Trout Fish Farming Project Kokernag, Trout Fish Feed Mill at Manasbal as well Hygienic Fish Market at Jammu.
He also said that the Union Territory has already achieved major breakthrough in Trout Culture, Farm Fisheries, Sport Fisheries, Reservoir Fisheries and other allied activities pertaining to the development of fish and fisheries.
Navin Kumar Choudhary while appreciating the achievements of department stressed that more focus should be laid on beneficiary oriented components of PMMSY to build entrepreneurship in the sector and efforts shall be made for promotion of Kashmir trout in national and international markets. He said that maximum benefits can be provided to entrepreneurs with implementation of PMMSY in convergence with MNREGA, NRLM, RKVY and other Centrally Sponsored Schemes.
Principal Secretary directed Fisheries department to keep provision in PMMSY for establishment of fish ponds at Block level which shall be managed by local panchayats and Municipal Bodies. He further directed that maximum SC/ST and women farmers shall be provided benefit under the scheme.