Sambalpur, Dec. 8: Odisha State Fishermen's Co-Operative Federation (Fishfed) plans to open 11 outlets to market fish farmed in Hirakud reservoir and local water bodies. The proposed outlets have been named as Hirakud Fresh.

"The outlets will be developed following the model of the popular Chilika Fresh. Western Odisha Development Corporation has sanctioned Rs 38.6 lakh for setting up the outlets," said deputy fisheries director Pratap Ekka, who is also the nodal officer of Hirakud Fresh.

Of the 11 outlets, five will be set up in Sambalpur, while Burla, Hirakud, Rengali, Maneswar, Rairakhol and Kuchinda will get one each.

"District fisheries officials have been asked to identify sites where the 30ftx30ft outlets can be set up. The department will construct concrete platforms, where pre-fabricated structures will be installed later," said Ekka. One such plot of land has already been identified at Kamilibazar in Sambalpur. "We have set a target to make the Kamilibazar outlet functional by February next year. The outlets will have refrigeration facility," said Ekka.

"These outlets will also encourage various fishermen's co-operatives. The fishermen will get good price for their fish," he added.

Around 3,000 fishermen of five co-operative societies depend on Hirakud reservoir for their livelihood. Some 60,000 metric tonne fish was produced in the reservoir in the 2014-15 fiscal.

"The fishermen of these co-operative societies are usually forced to sell fish to traders at a low price. Fishfed will purchase fish from them and sell them through the outlets," said a senior official of the fisheries department said.

Fish varieties, such as Indian carp (katla), rohu, mrigel and prawn, which are produced at the Hirakud dam reservoir, will be sold from these outlets.

"We welcome the initiative. People will get an opportunity to buy a variety of fish from one place," said local resident Amit Mishra.