Fisheries Becomes a Powerful Medium for Rural Prosperity

Fisheries is emerging as an important medium for strengthening the rural economy along with agriculture in Chhattisgarh. The Prime Minister Matsya Sampada Yojana, operated under the visionary thinking of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, has opened new possibilities for development in the fisheries sector. Through modern technology, training, infrastructure, and subsidy-based schemes, thousands of fishermen in the state are progressing towards self-reliance. Fisheries is no longer just a traditional occupation; it has become a powerful source of income and employment for rural families. Government schemes have provided opportunities for small and marginal farmers to adopt the fishing business, bringing positive changes in their economic condition. New Milestone in Fish Production in Jashpur Significant achievements have been made in the fisheries sector in Jashpur, the home district of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai. Due to the effective implementation of the Prime Minister Matsya Sampada Yojana, the district has set a new record of producing 22,805 metric tons of fish in the last 22 months. This has not only increased fish production but also significantly boosted the income of thousands of farmers and fishermen. According to the Fisheries Department, 18.50 crore spawn, 2.55 crore stage fry, and 2.94 crore fish seeds have been stocked in the district, ensuring the availability of quality fish seeds locally and increasing production capacity. More Than Seven Thousand Beneficiaries Have Received Benefits In the district, leases for 77.67 hectares of ponds and 295.27 hectares of reservoirs have been allocated at the rural level. Along with this, more than seven thousand beneficiaries have been benefited through facilities like boats, nets, fingerlings, fish insurance, and marketing assistance. These efforts are helping fishermen expand their businesses and earn better incomes. Productivity Increasing with Modern Technology Under the Prime Minister Matsya Sampada Yojana, subsidies of up to 60 percent are being provided for pond construction, pond liners, biofloc units, and other modern fishery structures. This has promoted scientific methods of fish production, reducing production costs while increasing productivity. New Knowledge Being Gained Through Training and Exposure Visits To connect fishermen with modern techniques, they are being sent on exposure visits to various states in the country. Through these tour programs, farmers and members of self-help groups are receiving training in scientific fish farming, pond and seed management, balanced diet, disease control, and advanced marketing techniques. This is making the fishing business more profitable and sustainable. Strong Step Towards Self-Reliant Rural Economy Significant success has been achieved in the areas of fish production, employment generation, and increasing farmers' income through the Prime Minister Matsya Sampada Yojana. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, the fisheries sector is continuously expanding in Chhattisgarh, providing new strength to the rural economy and making a significant contribution to realizing the goal of a self-reliant India.