Free fish seed will help fishermen net profits: Srinivas Yadav

​Hyderabad: Fisheries and Animal Husbandry Minister Talasani Srinivas Yadav on Wednesday said that the State government has launched free distribution of fish seed for the social and economic development of the fishermen community. Addressing the media at the Secretariat after holding a conference with fishermen cooperative associations and officials concerned, the Minister said they have a plan to set up cold storage units and sought proposals from the officials to find place for fish markets at several places.

He also called upon the fishermen associations to work in tandem with the officials to boost the blue revolution and see that fish produced is exported. “Our aim is to see to it that the entire income got through fish sales is given back to the associations avoiding middlemen,” he said, adding that special drives would be conducted at villages and towns to encourage fish cultivation. Three deputy directors were appointed to monitor the fish production in each district as a unit and the drive is first of its kind in the country, he claimed.

The State government allocated Rs 101 crore in the budget for the development of fishermen community and the free seed release will boost the rural economy by giving more work to the fishermen and help them eke out their livelihood, he noted. “Of a target of 30 crore fish seed, we have so far released nine crore fish seed into 1,137 lakes out of 4,553 lakes existing in the State and the officials were directed to reach the target by November end.

The drive will continue till the target is reached,” Talasani Srinivas Yadav said. The fish cultivation will help Telangana villages achieve self-sufficiency and get back to past glory of vibrancy and tread in the path of ‘Golden Telangana,’ the Minister added. Principal Secretary Suresh Chanda, Commissioner Venkateshwarlu and presidents and members of fishermen cooperative associations were present.