The Telangana government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the fisheries sector by announcing a series of welfare and development initiatives for fishermen across the state. Fisheries Minister Vakiti Srihari held a review meeting with presidents and promoters of district fisheries cooperative societies to discuss issues related to fishermen’s welfare, fisheries development, and the functioning of cooperative societies.
During the meeting, the minister reviewed ongoing programmes and sought suggestions from cooperative representatives to improve the implementation of government schemes aimed at benefiting fishing communities.
Focus on Expanding Fish Production
The minister said the government is focusing on increasing fish production by expanding fisheries activities in 26,000 tanks and 100 reservoirs across Telangana. The objective is to improve inland fish production while creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for fishermen cooperative societies.
He also assured that the government would continue the free fish seed distribution programme, which has been one of the state’s major fisheries development initiatives.
Insurance, Mopeds and Retail Fish Outlets for Fishermen
As part of its welfare measures, the government is planning several initiatives to improve the livelihoods of fishermen.
These include:
• Expansion of insurance coverage for fishermen.
• Support for mopeds to improve fish transportation and marketing.
• Establishment of retail fish outlets to help fishermen sell their produce directly to consumers.
These initiatives aim to improve market access, reduce post-harvest challenges, and enhance income opportunities for fishing communities.
Integrated Fish Market to Support Online Fish Sales
The minister also highlighted the Integrated Fish Market being developed at Koheda, stating that it is expected to create new marketing opportunities for fishermen.
Once operational, the facility is expected to support online fish sales, allowing fishermen to reach a wider customer base while improving the efficiency of fish marketing and distribution
Regular Meetings and Pending Issues
To strengthen communication with fishermen cooperative societies, Vakiti Srihari announced that special review meetings will be conducted once every three months to discuss sector-specific issues and monitor the implementation of welfare programmes.
The minister also assured that efforts would be made to release pending dues related to fisheries schemes and resolve issues concerning membership disputes in cooperative societies.
In addition, he mentioned that insurance claims worth ₹1.34 crore have been processed as part of the government’s welfare initiatives for fishermen.
Fish in Mid-Day Meals Under Consideration
The government is also examining the possibility of including fish in school mid-day meal programmes. If implemented, the initiative could improve nutritional intake among school children while creating an additional domestic market for fish producers across the state.
Looking Ahead
The discussions reflect Telangana’s continued focus on strengthening inland fisheries through infrastructure development, welfare schemes, and improved market access. With initiatives such as free fish seed distribution, insurance support, retail fish outlets, online fish marketing, and regular stakeholder consultations, the government aims to enhance the livelihoods of fishermen while promoting sustainable growth of the fisheries sector across the state.