Nuapada: BJP MP from Kalahandi, Basant Kumar Panda wrote to Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairy Giriraj Singh seeking the establishment of a Fisheries Culture College in Nuapada under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada (PMMS) scheme in order to boost fish farming and aquaculture activities.
If granted permission and everything goes as planned, this will not only improve the fishing channels but also provide support to the fishermen.
Responding to Panda's letter dated September 17, the Union Minister stated that the matter has been forwarded to concerned officials for necessary action.
The major aim of the government behind Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana is:
- Enhancing fish production by an additional 70 lakh tonne till 2024-25
- Increasing fisheries export earnings to Rs 1,00,000 crore
- Doubling of incomes of fishers and fish
- Reducing post-harvest losses from 20-25% to about 10%
- Generation of additional 55 lakhs direct and indirect gainful employment opportunities in the fisheries sector and allied activities farmers
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"Fisheries is the best alternative by which we can double farmers income. One Fisheries college in western Odisha is highly essential to create more human resources in this sector. This will directly motivate educated youth for fish farming which reduce unemployment and migration," said a tweep.
The PMMS scheme was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 10, 2020.