IEP Chandigarh, September 21
When Veerpal Kaur, a resident of Mithri village in Sirsa district decided to try her luck in shrimp production, not many supported the decision, but today she not only has paved the way for other women like her to choose this business but has also set an example how the saline water which is considered a curse for agriculture can prove a boon. Like Veerpal Kaur, a beneficiary of Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), six other women of the same village have also started the business of white shrimp production in an area of about 18 acres including 30 ponds.
The women of the Sirsa district believe that this new-age farming has certainly changed the fortune of farmers in the region. Notably, under the PMMSY 60 percent subsidy is given to the women belonging to scheduled caste, and tribe beneficiaries, while 40 percent is given to the general category.
The commitment of Sh. Manohar Lal towards promoting the production of shrimp in saline land and waterlogged areas in the state can be seen from the fact that he had recently announced to give advance subsidy to the beneficiaries of the PMMSY if there is any delay in the subsidy coming from the Central Government.
After the Green Revolution, Haryana swiftly moving towards the Blue Revolution
Once known for its significant contribution to the Green Revolution, Haryana under the dynamic leadership of the Chief Minister is now working on a mission mode to swiftly move towards the Blue Revolution.
It was on May 2020, when Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi announced the PMMSY as he stressed upon the need to bring the Blue Revolution to the country through sustainable and responsible development of the fisheries sector in India.
The State has started making Blue Revolution a success story by promoting it at the grassroot level with the formation of a cluster demonstration farm of shrimp farming and organizing workshops for progressive shrimp farmers of the Sirsa district.
Like every time, this time also Sh. Manohar Lal immediately started to realize Prime Minister’s vision by promoting the shrimp fisheries business in Sirsa district having immense potential for the development of fisheries.
Under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), white shrimp farming was started in Haryana on an area of 70 acres in the year 2014-15. After its success, this farming was implemented in Karnal, Sonipat, Faridabad, Gurugram, Mewat, Palwal, Rohtak, Jind, Bhiwani, Hisar, Sirsa, Rewari, Jhajjar, Fatehabad and Charkhi Dadri districts.
Meanwhile, during 2021-22, a record production of 2900 metric tonnes of shrimp was done on 1250 acres. Along with this, the Fisheries Department has aimed to double its target during the year 2022-23, and to achieve the same department has geared up to promote shrimp production business in saline water areas and fisheries in other freshwater areas.
With the implementation of such farmer-friendly schemes, farmers are now more inclined toward doing this business.
In the year 2014, one lakh metric tonnes of fish were produced in Haryana in a total farming area of 43000 acres and this year the target has been increased to 54000 acres. Besides this, the State Government has also set a target of increasing production to 2.10 lakh metric tonnes.
Fish farming ensures more income for the farmers
Apart from being an agrarian state, Haryana, which has contributed significantly to the country’s economy through industrial development, will now ensure its significant contribution through fisheries.
With the beginning of the Blue Revolution, Haryana started achieving new heights. Production is done twice a year from the fisheries business. Within 125 to 150 days shrimps and other varieties are ready to bring to the market
About 6 tonnes of lobster is produced in one hectare and its market price is more than Rs 380 per kg. Biofloc shrimp farming is also done using 7 Plastic Drums. About 600 kg of shrimp are produced in a tank, thus 4200 kg of shrimp is produced, which has a market cost of Rs. 130 per kg.
Similarly, the price of fish produced in freshwater is Rs 110 per kg. In a year, a profit of about Rs 13.60 lakh per hectare is earned from shrimp farming, while a profit of Rs 5 lakh is earned from Biofloc shrimp farming technique and Rs 6 lakh per hectare is earned from the fish production in freshwater.
Just like Kisan Credit, fish farmers also to get credit cards
Like the Kisan Credit Card, the government is also providing the facility of credit cards to fish farmers. Similarly, the government is also holding discussions with banks and insurance companies for providing insurance facilities for fisheries as well.