The Rajasthan government is set to distribute fish seeds free of charge to 20,000 farmers as part of its efforts to boost the fisheries sector. Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has granted approval for the Rs 2 crore project, which will provide each farmer or water pond owner with 1,000 fingerlings of major Indian carp varieties like rohu, catla, and mrigal.
This project, originally announced in the 2023-24 budget, has recently secured financial approval and will soon see selected farmers receive fisheries training at the district level, according to a government department official
Rajasthan boasts an extensive network of water bodies, covering approximately 430,000 hectares, in addition to around 70 rivers and canals spanning about 30,000 hectares. Over the past three decades, the state has witnessed steady growth in its inland fisheries sector. The area dedicated to fish culture and production in Rajasthan, currently ranked 18th in terms of output, has been on the rise. Reservoirs account for approximately 60% of the total fish production, with the remainder coming from tanks and ponds. Notably, the productivity of large reservoirs in the state, at 55 kg per hectare, exceeds the national average.
In the recent budget speech, Chief Minister Gehlot also announced the establishment of a Brackish Water Aquaculture Laboratory in Churu district, aimed at promoting shrimp farming. Work on this initiative is already underway, as confirmed by the government official.
Moreover, the government is actively promoting innovative approaches in tribal sub-plan areas, particularly in locations such as Jaisamand Dam in Udaipur, Kadana backwater in Dungarpur, and Mahi Bajaj Sagar in Banswara, as part of its livelihood model to enhance the fisheries sector’s sustainability and economic impact.