Patna. The state government has intensified initiatives to promote fish farming in Bihar and create new employment opportunities in rural areas. Now there is a plan to increase production and make the sale of fish easier by linking small fish farmers with cooperative societies. Under this, eligible beneficiaries can get up to 80 percent grant for pond construction, fish farming and necessary equipment.
Benefits will be available through cooperative societies
The Cooperative Department is working towards creating special fishery clusters at the block and PACS level. Its objective is to bring small fish farmers on one platform, so that they can get better facilities from production to market. Under the government scheme, there is a provision of special subsidy on the purchase of mopeds, three-wheelers and four-wheelers for transportation and sale of fish as per the prescribed conditions.
Target of additional production of five lakh tonnes
To increase fish production in the state, a target of additional production of five lakh tonnes has been set. Apart from this, there is a plan to develop wetland clusters in Saran, Siwan, Madhubani, Supaul, Muzaffarpur, Motihari, Bhagalpur and Munger. For this, a proposal has been made to take assistance of Rs 195 crore from NABARD.
Who will get 80% grant?
According to the available information, under the Fish Species Diversification Scheme, eligible fish farmers belonging to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Extremely Backward Classes can get up to 80 percent grant for pond construction and equipment. The subsidy rate may be different in other schemes.
Important thing before application: To know the actual amount of grant, eligibility and date of application, get information from the Fisheries Resources Department of Bihar or the concerned district office. The benefit of subsidy will be available on the basis of rules and approval of the concerned scheme.