Talasani plans cold storages, fish markets to boost rural economy
Hyderabad, Oct.26: Fisheries & Animal Husbandry Minister Talasani Srinivas Yadav today said the State government has launched free distribution of fish seed to fill the lights among the lives of fishermen community to develop them economically and socially. 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 a place for fish markets at several places. He also called upon the fishermen associations to work in tandem with the officials to boost blue revolution and see that fish produced is exported. “Our aim is to see 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 “Blue Revolution” of fish seed release into lakes, water bodies, ponds and reservoirs will prove handy. The State government allocated Rs 101 crore in the budget for development of fishermen community as 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”, he added. 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 said. Principal Secretary Suresh Chanda, Commissioner Venkateshwarlu and presidents and members of fishermen cooperative associations were present.
