Himachal’s Blue Revolution: Fish Farming Brings Hope to Rural Families
Himachal Pradesh, long celebrated as the “fruit state” of India, is now making waves with a new identity — the Blue Revolution. Fish farming, once a small-scale activity, is transforming into a powerful engine of rural prosperity thanks to the Chief Minister Carp Fisheries Scheme.
Launched in 2024-25, the scheme aims to create self-employment opportunities for village youth and strengthen the rural economy. The results are already visible: fish production, which stood at 17,000 metric tons in 2022-23, is expected to rise to nearly 19,000 metric tons by 2024-25. Reservoirs like Govind Sagar, Pong Dam, and Kol Dam are at the heart of this growth, showing how modern management and community participation can turn villages into hubs of opportunity.
The scheme is being rolled out across Bilaspur, Mandi, Una, Hamirpur, Kangra, Sirmaur, and Chamba, ensuring balanced development across the state. Chief Minister Thakur Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu emphasizes that empowering youth through self-reliance makes them true partners in Himachal’s development journey.
Under the scheme, carp fish farming costs are pegged at ₹12.40 lakh per hectare, but with up to 80% subsidy, small and marginal farmers can breathe easier financially. Even smaller units of 500 square meters are supported, making fish farming accessible to families with limited resources.
To further boost the sector, the government is setting up modern brood banks — one for carp in Nalagarh (Solan district) and another for trout in Patlikuhal — each with an investment of around ₹5 crore. These banks will provide high-quality seeds to farmers, ensuring better yields. Additionally, new fish ponds covering 5 hectares are being built in 2025-26, backed by a ₹50 lakh budget.
The initiative is more than just about numbers. It’s about brightening the future of over 20,000 families who depend on fish farming. By turning challenges into opportunities, Himachal Pradesh is proving that rural self-employment can be the cornerstone of sustainable development.
