CM Sukhu Directs Fisheries Department to Adopt Modern Technology for Boosting Fish Production.
State Government to Establish New Hatcheries and Cold Stores to Strengthen Rural Economy.
Shimla:
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has directed the Fisheries Department to adopt modern technology to enhance the shelf life of fish produce and boost the income of fish farmers across Himachal Pradesh. Presiding over a high-level meeting of the department here today, the Chief Minister said that the state government is committed to modernizing the fisheries sector as part of its broader initiative to strengthen the rural economy.
The Chief Minister announced that new hatcheries and cold storage facilities would be established along rivers and water reservoirs to support farmers engaged in fish rearing. He instructed the department to identify suitable land parcels for setting up these cold stores across the state.
CM Sukhu emphasized that the fisheries sector holds significant potential in improving the livelihoods of rural farmers. He directed officials to provide handholding support and modern technological assistance to farmers, along with subsidies for purchasing fisheries-related equipment.
He also asked the department to organize awareness programmes for farmers focusing on modern aquaculture practices, improved seed varieties, and emerging technologies in fish farming. “The government’s aim is to ensure that farmers benefit from the latest advancements in this sector,” he stated.
Highlighting the importance of resource management, the Chief Minister instructed the department to enhance fish seed stocking in dams and reservoirs across the state from the next season onwards. He further directed officials to assess seed requirements for the upcoming year to ensure adequate planning and implementation.
The Chief Minister also reviewed the state’s fish production statistics. He informed that Himachal Pradesh recorded 19,019 metric tonnes of fish production during the financial year 2024–25, while 7,773 metric tonnes have been achieved till October this year. Acknowledging the state’s prominence in trout fish production, Sh. Sukhu announced that the government would establish a corpus fund for trout fish rearers to compensate for losses caused by natural calamities.
Deputy Chairman of the State Planning Board Bhawani Singh Pathania, MLAs Sanjay Awasthy, Neeraj Nayyar, Malender Rajan, and Vivek Sharma, along with Director of Fisheries Vivek Chandel and other senior officials, were present during the meeting.
With these new initiatives, the state government aims to transform the fisheries sector into a major contributor to the rural economy while ensuring sustainable growth and technological advancement.
