Bihar Fish Production Triples to 8.73 Lakh Metric Tonnes Under Agriculture Road Map Initiative
The Agriculture Road Map of the Bihar Government has changed the face of fish production in Bihar. Fish production has increased from 2.68 lakh metric tonnes (before 2005) to 8.73 lakh metric tonnes (2023-24). In this way, fish production has increased more than three times in Bihar in about 20 years.
The government is running several schemes under the Agriculture Road Map to increase fish production. Which mainly includes the Chief Minister Integrated Chaur Development Scheme, Reservoir Fisheries Development Scheme, Scheme for Renovation of Private Ponds, River Restoration Program in the ecosystem of the Ganges River flowing in the state, etc. and the work of Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana under the centrally sponsored scheme. These schemes have promoted fish production and increased employment opportunities.
Under the Chief Minister Integrated Chaur Development Scheme, 461 hectares of Chaur land of Bihar has been enriched with fish farming. Under this scheme, model-based new ponds are being constructed on Chaur land located in Chaur-dominated districts. Due to which fish production in the state is increasing rapidly.
Fish markets will be built in blocks
While on one hand fish production is being promoted in the state through government schemes, on the other hand the government is constantly trying to provide market for the fish produced by fish farmers. In this series, under the Chief Minister Matsya Marketing Scheme, 30-30 fish markets are being built in the identified blocks of the state in the current financial year. Also, fish farming is being done with new technology like biofloc technology and RAS technology to increase fish production.
So far 439 biofloc units and 15 RAS units have been built in the state. At the same time, in the current financial year, 61.81 lakh seeds of fish have been put in the rivers Ganga, Gandak, Budhi Gandak etc. to increase fish production.
Increased employment, prosperity came
Case-1
Jyotsna Singh, a resident of Pura in Shivajinagar block of Samastipur district, is associated with the production of fish seeds. Along with becoming self-reliant herself, today she is providing employment to 20 people. In 2023, she established a lotus fish seed hatchery by taking a grant of Rs 15.00 lakh from the Fisheries Department, in which she has achieved immense success. Today other people are also getting influenced by their success and joining fish farming.
Case-2
Sanjay Sahni of Kochi village in Shivajinagar block of Samastipur district is producing 15 tonnes of fish per year by taking advantage of the Chief Minister Integrated Chaur Development Scheme. Due to which he earns 12 to 15 lakh rupees. This work has increased his income and brought prosperity to the family. Seeing his happy life, two other farmers Shyam Babu Yadav and Asharfi Sahni have also joined this business. Due to which they are earning about 15 to 20 lakh rupees.
Case-3
Lakshmi Sahni, Sheela Devi, Pramod Kumar Sahni, Rani Kumari, and Seeti Devi, residents of Dubela Chaur, village Raipur, Saraiganj block, are taking advantage of the Chaur Vikas Yojana and doing fish farming in an area of about eight hectares. These people are collectively producing 10-15 tons of fish every year. They are earning 13 to 18 lakh rupees from this. This effort is ongoing. Today, fish farming has brought economic progress in the lives of hundreds of people.
