Across rural Bihar, fish farming is fast turning into a serious source of income, and the government is putting real money behind it. If you want to step into this business, Gaya district is opening several doors right now. A cluster of schemes is running at the same time, covering everything from digging ponds to producing fish seed, with financial help at every stage.
One of these is the plateau-region pond construction based fish farming scheme, built mainly for people living in plateau areas. Under it, members of Scheduled Castes get assistance to dig ponds. In Gaya district, 15 units of ponds are to be dug under this scheme.
What a single unit includes
Each unit covers a half-acre pond, boring, a solar pump set, a shed and the input cost amount. The total cost per unit works out to 10 lakh 34 thousand rupees, of which 80 percent is given as a grant, so a farmer ends up spending very little out of pocket.
Alongside this, the Chief Minister Pond Fisheries Development Scheme is helping farmers produce improved fish seed. A total of 12 units will be set up in Gaya district under this scheme.
Why farmers leaned on other states for seed
At present, fish farmers have to depend on other states, especially West Bengal, for their seed. Once seed production begins locally, farmers will be able to raise fish in their own ponds and earn well by selling the seed too. To produce seed, fish seedlings of different sizes are released into the pond.
To cut this dependence on West Bengal, modern hatcheries are being developed in several districts of the state. As part of this push, 12 units for seed production will be set up in Gaya district.
How much subsidy, and for whom
For improved fish seed production, the district has earmarked four units for the general category, four units for the Extremely Backward Class and four units for Scheduled Castes. Each unit costs 1 lakh rupees. General category applicants get a 50 percent subsidy, while the Extremely Backward Class and Scheduled Caste applicants get a 70 percent subsidy.
In addition, the Special Pond Fisheries Assistance Scheme will set up a total of 23 units in Gaya district. Of these, 12 units are for the Extremely Backward Class and 11 units for Scheduled Castes. Each unit under this scheme provides a half-acre pond, boring, a shed, the input cost and an aerator. One unit costs 5 lakh 72 thousand rupees, on which a 70 percent subsidy is being given.
How to apply
Nagendra Kumar, the extension officer of the Gaya district fisheries department, said that interested farmers who see a future in fish farming can apply on the website fisheries.bihar.gov.in.
