Animal husbandry and fisheries minister Giriraj Singh addresses the workshop in Patna on Friday. Picture by Deepak Kumar

Patna, Jan. 28: The state is all set to become self-sufficient in meeting its demand for fish.

The state animal husbandry and fisheries department aims to increase the cultivation of fish seeds over the next three years. The department has set itself a target of 1.5 lakh tonne.

The increase in cultivation would not only help meet the demand in the state, it would also save Rs 2,000 crore that is spent at present to purchase fish seeds from other states.

Bihar Agricultural Management and Extension Training Institute (Bameti) organised a workshop for farmers and technicians at a city hotel today to discuss these topics.

The experts said to increase fish production in the state, the department would undertake research in the field of fisheries.

State animal husbandry and fisheries department minister Giriraj Singh said: “The state government spends Rs 2,000 crore annually in purchasing fish seeds from other states. The department has targeted that over next three years this amount will be brought down. Fish seeds cultivation will also be promoted in state.”

The minister also said the production of fish in the state is 3.06 lakh tonne but the consumption is 4.056 lakh tonne. To meet the demand, the state imports 1.5 lakh tonne of fish from other states.

Singh said lack of management and up-grade of fish production is the main reason for the state lagging behind despite the natural sources of water bodies.

The animal husbandry and fisheries department is planning to go for Pangasius fish cultivation in its effort to meet the demand, he said.

At present the fish production in the state is 835kg per acre, which is much lower than the national average of 2,500kg per acre.

Singh said: “To increase fish production, the state government will send 750 fisherman from the state to other states for training. The state will spend Rs 59 lakh for this.”

Efforts were also on for a tie-up with banks for providing loans to farmers engaged in fish production.

The department is also planning to have a housing policy and group insurance schemes for fish cultivators.

Bameti director R.K. Sohane said: “For increasing fish production in the state, the government had declared Magur as the state fish last year. Special initiatives and drives have been taken by the fisheries department for the production of Magur.”

Steps have also been taken to increase fish production the districts. Samastipur, Darbhanga and Madhubani have been successfully producing fish locally.