Telangana is poised to bring about a sea change in its fisheries sector with the introduction of Special Fisheries Development Zones (SFDZs). Mirroring the success of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) that have spurred industrial growth, these SFDZs aim to augment fisheries wealth and provide lucrative employment prospects for fishermen.
The State Fisheries Department, in partnership with the Fisheries Federation, is spearheading this transformative initiative. These SFDZs will be established by harnessing the potential of the flood canals from various irrigation projects.
In its inaugural phase, the spotlight falls on the Sriramsagar-Mid Manair flood canal, spanning an impressive 122 kilometers across four zones. The pilot project has selected a 20-kilometer stretch, commencing from Shanagar in the Ramadugu mandal of Karimnagar district and culminating at Varadavelli village in the Boinapalli mandal of Rajanna-Sircilla district.
Telangana State Fishermen Cooperative Societies Federation chairman Pittala Ravinder highlighted the suitability of these canals for fish production due to their consistent water flow. As a land-locked state, Telangana boasts a conducive environment for fish cultivation, thanks to the presence of canals and other water bodies.
The potential impact of this initiative is substantial, with an expected employment surge benefiting approximately 12,000 fishermen in Nirmal, Jagitial, Karimnagar, and Rajanna-Sircilla districts. The projected fishery wealth generated from this pioneering endeavor is estimated at a staggering Rs 300 crores. Once the pilot project proves successful, the SFDZ concept will expand to encompass the Kakatiya canal, further propelling the growth of the fisheries sector.
Telangana’s endeavor to establish fish farming in the Sriramsagar canal represents a historic milestone, positioning it as the first state in the country to undertake such a pioneering initiative. This bold decision follows the successful experiment by the Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (CIFRI) in Kolkata, which demonstrated the feasibility of fish farming in a flood canal in the Sundarban region of Odisha.
Moreover, the efforts of Industries Minister KT Rama Rao to transform the Mid Manair project into a fisheries hub have garnered significant attention, with US-based company ‘FishIn’ pledging a substantial investment of Rs 1,000 crore. The ongoing work on fish cultivation using cage culture, combined with the addition of SFDZs, promises to propel the fisheries sector’s development in the region to unprecedented heights.