Financial stability and income opportunities through Fish farming in Himachal

There is immense potential in fish farming in the rivers and sea areas of India. It also offers great opportunities for employment and self-employment in the view of bio-diversity in the fish farming sector.

Himachal Pradesh is endowed with perennial rivers originating from glaciers. These rivers enrich the hilly and semi-plain areas of the state. Beas, Satluj and Ravi rivers are home to various fishes like schizothorax, golden mahseer, and foreign trout species, etc.

The successful implementation of the ambitious Indo-Norwegian Trout Farming Project has created a keen interest among people to utilize the water resources of the state through modern techniques. More anvils were opened for the local public to explore fish farming in Gobind Sagar and Pong Dam, Chamera, and Ranjit Sagar Dam which is strengthening their economy.

The state government is promoting fisheries and allied sectors through various schemes. A detailed work plan is being prepared to increase the income of fishermen by promoting backyard fish farming, cage culture, re-circulatory aquaculture system, and other technology-based fish farming in the state.

A total of 20 hectares of new fish ponds will be constructed in the private sector in the current financial year. The state government has decided to provide a subsidy of 80 percent to escalate the earnings of fishermen. As many as 120 new trout units will be constructed to increase the capacity of the fisheries sector.

A carp farm will be set up at Gagret in Una with an expenditure of Rs. five crores to facilitate the training of farmers and other persons associated with fisheries. A total of 600 fishermen will be trained every year in this center. Fishermen who are dependent on riverine fish living in the plain areas will be provided with 1000 cast nets at a subsidy.

Center Government has released Rs. 11.26 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, which will be utilized to promote various activities of fish farming. The state government is boosting fish farming and providing incentives to the fishermen to make it successful.