Fish farming proves a boon for famer of Badbar; DC Barnala encourages progressive farmer
Jasbir Kapoor/ royalpatiala.in/ Barnala
The subsidiary occupation of fish farming has proven a boon for progressive farmer of Badbar village of Barnala district. Sukhpal Singh (43) getting a sound profit by adopting fishery along with forestry.
Narrating his success story, Sukhpal Singh son of Chand Singh said that his land was not suitable for agriculture. Therefore, he decided to adopt a subsidiary occupation. He contacted with fishery department Barnala and got training about fish farming. He started fish farming in April 2016 after digging two ponds in 2.5 acre private land and 4.5 acre panchayat land (on lease) with six herbivorous varieties namely Catla, Rohu, Murakh, Silver Carp, Grass Carp and Common Carp. Fish productivity is from 28 to 32 quintals per acre with rate of Rs. 9,000 to 11,000 per quintal annually. Therefore, he is getting profit of Rs. 10 to 12 lakhs annually. Last year, he got profit of Rs. 15 lakhs, he added.
Sukhpal Singh has also done plantation along with the ponds and he also cultivates seasonal vegetables, which has greatly increased his income.
Deputy Commissioner encourages progressive farmer
In view of the efforts of the progressive farmer Sukhpal Singh, Deputy Commissioner Barnala Tej Pratap Singh Phoolka has encouraged the farmer and visited Sukhpal Singh’s farm and pond several times and also inspired Sukhpal Singh to go for forestry.
Rs. 1.80 lakh subsidy provided: Assistant Director
Assistant Director Fisheries Rakesh Kumar said that all kinds of training being provided to fish farmers in Barnala district and the government is giving huge subsidy for this occupation. Department has provided subsidy of Rs 1.80 lakhs to Sukhpal Singh under the government scheme. Senior fisheries officer Harvinder Singh said that loan of about Rs 4 lakh per hectare being provided by banks for this occupation. Besides this, subsidy of Rs 60,000 per acre being provided for the construction of new pond and subsidy of Rs. 20,000 per acre being provided for feed on first year. For the 2 paddle aerator subsidy of Rs. 18000 and for 4 paddle aerator subsidy of Rs. 23,000 is being given.
February, 18,2020
