Chandigarh, April 1: In a significant move to strengthen coordination between fisheries and agriculture in the state, Haryana Agriculture, Farmers’ Welfare, Fisheries, and Animal Husbandry Minister Sh Shyam Singh Rana held a high-level meeting with officials and issued directives to expedite projects through enhanced interdepartmental coordination.
During the meeting, the Minister emphasized the need for synergy among departments and directed officials to expedite ongoing projects. He stressed the necessity of working on a global level to explore additional income sources for farmers through aquaculture.
A key focus of the meeting was the fisheries projects in Bhiwani and Sirsa districts. The Minister instructed officials to have the final project drawings approved by the end of this month. Land possession for the Bhiwani project has already been secured, and blueprints for electricity and water supply are being developed. The tendering process will begin soon, with work set to commence by the end of April. Regarding the proposed Propad Fish Farm in Sirsa district, the Minister directed the department to submit a progress report to ensure timely completion. The process of identifying land for the 25-acre project is underway, and the Deputy Commissioner has been instructed to expedite land allocation.
The Minister emphasized the importance of joint meetings between the Fisheries, Agriculture, and Soil Conservation Departments to optimize water usage. He highlighted that water from waterlogged areas could be effectively utilized for both fisheries and shrimp cultivation, thereby fostering a sustainable blue revolution in the state.
He directed officials to identify additional saline water zones and develop projects to leverage them for aquaculture. The Minister also stated that after June, the government aims to reclaim one lakh acres of saline soil, transforming it into a productive resource.
Officials have been directed to conduct field visits and submit status reports on tubewell operations
The Minister stated that the government is providing a Rs 14 lakh per hectare subsidy for fish farming and instructed officials to connect eligible farmers with the scheme through a dedicated campaign to educate them on the benefits of fish farming. He also directed Agriculture department officials to compile a list of installed tubewells and launch an awareness drive to encourage farmers to effectively utilize government schemes. Furthermore, the Minister urged officials to collaborate with the Forest Department to plant eucalyptus and other trees on saline lands, creating an alternative source of income for farmers.
The Minister emphasized that fisheries have shown higher profitability compared to traditional agriculture, with horticulture also emerging as a highly lucrative sector. He highlighted that the state government is actively working to reduce dependency on conventional farming by promoting sustainable, high-income-generating alternatives. He said that district-level committees would be formed to ensure the smooth execution of projects.
Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Department Sh Raja Sekhar Vundru, who attended the meeting, assured that interdepartmental coordination would be prioritized to effectively harness saline water resources for shrimp farming.
