Rs 5.8 crore released to renovate fish farm at Fathegarh Sahib

The Punjab government has released a grant of `5.8 crore for the renovation of the state’s biggest fish breeding farm here under the National Krishi Vikas Yojana (NKVY). Deputy commissioner Kamaldeep Singh Sangha said here at a function at Bagria village that besides renovating the existing infrastructure, two new tubewells, a stalking tank, a rearing tank, a nursery tank would be built along with the renovation of ponds of the 32-acre farm.

Built in 1990, this farm has never been never renovated earlier. Kesar Singh Kheri, assistant director, fisheries, Fatehgarh Sahib, said that renovation would be completed in two months.

“Fish is consumed in Punjab mostly by migrants from other states. If we want to inspire farmers for fish farming, we need to promote fish consumption too,” said Sangha. “Fish is rich in nutrition, with 15 to 25% protein in it. It contains, calcium, iron, phosphorus, iodine, vitamins A, B and D,” he added.

Kheri said with the help of the National Fish Development Board, an ornamental fish unit would be set up at a cost of `13.5 lakh. A hatchery complex worth `27 lakh has already been built.

Kheri said to promote fish farming, the department supplies 1,000 breed in just Rs 100. As many as 4,000-6,000 fish can be inhabited in a one-acre pond. 22 to 25 quintals fish can be produced per acre in a year, which leads to a net profit of Rs 60-70,000 and gross profit above Rs 1 lakh. Fish can be sold up to 100 per kg in the wholesale market.”