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Marine farming in for a big boost
Telangana State government has drawn up an action plan to develop aquaculture on a par with the neighbouring Andhra Pradesh. What has prompted the State government to give a boost to marine farming is the necessity to import as much as 70 per cent of seafood from AP.
The government has taken a decision to promote aquaculture to meet the growing demand for seafood
Hyderabad: Telangana State government has drawn up an action plan to develop aquaculture on a par with the neighbouring Andhra Pradesh. What has prompted the State government to give a boost to marine farming is the necessity to import as much as 70 per cent of seafood from AP.
Aquaculture in the State as of now has spread over just 781.30 hectares. It meets just 30 per cent of the demand in the State. This has led to the government taking a decision to permit aquaculture in all agricultural lands with poor soil fertility, and also those which either lie fallow or those in low lying areas prone to water logging.
As part of strategy, the government has decided to waive land conversion charges to encourage farmers to go in for marine farming. Fresh water aquaculture will be permitted by drawing water from irrigation canals and channels. At the same time, farmers will not be permitted to draw water from borewells to prevent depletion of groundwater.
State Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and Diary Development Principal Secretary Suresh Chanda said species like Murrel (Koramenu), has been declared as State fish, and Rohu are being imported from other States. All other species would be farmed in the State to meet the growing demand for seafood.
Exotic species like Tiger Prawn would also be cultured but only after obtaining relevant permission from competent authorities. To protect the environment, banned antibiotics and other pharmacologically active substances would not be allowed to be used in the farming process.
A nominal fee Rs 200 would be collected per acre from farmers as processing fee to start aqua farms, the official said. A five-member district-level committees (DLCs), headed by district Collectors, would be formed in each district to permit fresh water aquaculture.
