Ensure Fishermen Have Easy Access to Benefit of Schemes: CM Dr. Yadav

Bhopal, Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav has emphasized on the need to ensure that the benefits of government schemes are easily accessible to fishermen. He highlighted the importance of making efforts to improve the prosperity of farmers and noted the significant potential within the Fisheries Welfare and Fisheries Development Department. To boost fishermen’s income and business, he recommended studying practices in other states and abroad. Dr. Yadav has directed the organization of a Machhua (Fishermen) Panchayat at the Chief Minister’s residence. This directive came during a review meeting of the Fisheries Welfare and Fisheries Development Department held today at Mantralaya. Present at the meeting were Minister of State for Fishermen Welfare and Fisheries Development Shri Narayan Singh Panwar, Additional Chief Secretary of the Chief Minister’s Office Dr. Rajesh Rajoura, and senior departmental officials.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav emphasized that the fisheries sector should create more employment opportunities. He noted that the department is running various programs, including fish seed production, extension services, fishermen training, the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, and the Mukhyamantri Machhua Samriddhi Yojana. Fish seed and production activities are being conducted in rural ponds, irrigation reservoirs, and fisheries federation reservoirs. The department oversees 96,752 fishermen cooperative societies. Dr. Yadav instructed that beneficiaries from other backward classes be registered in these committees. He also stressed the need for the timely completion of the Aqua Park in Bhopal to benefit tourists and called for an increase in the number of seed hatchery units in the state, encouraging private sector involvement.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that a future action plan should be prepared for fish production. He said that water structures should be prepared with projects like Ken-Betwa, and Parvati-Kali Sindh in mind. Madhya Pradesh ranks first in the country in Kisan Credit Card distribution. Chief Minister Yadav said that better plans to improve fish production should be made. Efforts should be made to increase revenue through fish production.

Achievements of the department

As much as 2 lakh 23 thousand tonnes of fish have been produced in the department in 6 months from December 1, 2023, to May 31, 2024. Apart from this, 18.56 crore standard fry fish seeds have also been produced. In the year 2023-24, 11.74 percent more fish production was recorded as compared to the previous year. In the year 2023-24, fish production was 3.82 lakh metric tons, the highest in the last few years. 4.40 lakh hectares of water area in the state is included under fisheries.