Aqua farmers told to adopt best practices

Visakhapatnam: As India ranks second in global fish production, the Government of India (GoI ) is going to launch a big scheme on fishery infrastructure to the tune of Rs 7,522 crore in the coming days, where bank credit will be available at an interest rate of six per cent with a provision of repayment by next 12 years of which first two years will be moratorium period, said Commissioner of Fisheries Ram Shankar Nayak.

Inaugurating the 16th Fish Farmers Day celebrations in the city along with Dr E Ramesh Kumar, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, at a programme on Monday, Ram Shankar Nayak said the government has taken all necessary measures towards achieving the production of 15 MT, which is currently at 11.47 MT.

He also stressed for adopting best management practices in aquaculture for ensuring hygienic and healthy fish and shrimp production. The government is considering to treat aquaculture on par with agri sector for ensuring power supply at subsidy rate and planning to bring the sector under Fasal Bima Yojona, he added.

National Fisheries Development Board (NFBD) Chief Executive I Rani Kaumudini thanked all farmers for their efforts in enhancing fish production and assured all sorts of assistance and help for extension and development of aqua farming.

Eighteen awards will be given to fish famers under 9 sections as recognition of their performance in their respective field. The first prize carries Rs 50,000 and 2nd prize carries Rs 25,000 beside memento and citation.