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Incentives package for private fish farms
LAHORE-The Punjab Fisheries Department has offered a package
of incentives to promote fish farming in the private sector,
to meet the growing need for protein in the country's
increasing population.
Unfolding the distinctive features of the package,the
Secretary Forest,Wildlife and Fisheries,Punjab, Raja Shahid
Hussain said on Sunday (Nov 11) that facilities of soft term
loans, canal water at agricultural rate, bulldozers at highly
subsidized rate, land on lease, quality fish seed at nominal
rates, free technical guidance, advisory services and free
refresher courses were being offered to farmers at their
doorsteps throughout the province.
He said the number of fish farms in the private sector is
increasing every day, as it is one of the most profitable
investments. Apart from that, fish is a cholesterol free food
popular both for its taste and nutrition value, he observed.
Special advisory cells have been established, one each at all
districts of the province to guide and educate fish farmers
about the latest techniques for maximum fish production per
acre,effective disease control and feeding needs according to
the breed.
The Secretary said that Fisheries Department has set up 14
Fish Seed Sales Points in various parts of the province to
provide high quality, disease-free, fast growing fish seeds to
private farmers.
For the breeding of culturable fish varieties such as Rohu,
Mori, Thaila, Silver Carp and Grass Carp, several fish seed
hatcheries and nurseries are presently engaged in rearing
fingerlings (fish seed).
Raja Shahid Hussain said that these units established on
modern, scientific lines provide superior quality but
inexpensive fish seed to private fish farmers at their
doorsteps.Expert scientists work round the clock at the
Fisheries Research Centre Manawan, to evolve new varieties of
fast growing fish seed to ensure maximum yield per acre to the
farmers.
The department will bring maximum land under fish farming
during the current fiscal year, he disclosed, adding that the
Punjab government had already declared fish farms as tax free
projects.
November 16, 2001
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