Chandigarh/Abohar, March 10 (Punjab Khabarnama): Punjab Agriculture, Farmers Welfare, Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries Minister S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian, on Sunday, inaugurated a Government Fish Seed Farm worth Rs 10.10 crores at Killianwali village in Fazilka district.
S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian said that Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab government has been making strenuous efforts to increase the income of farmers by inspiring them to adopt allied occupations like fish, pig and goat farming.
It is the 16th Government Fish Seed Farm, which is spread over 15 acres, S Khudian informed while adding that as many as 42,031 acres of land in the state is under fish farming, besides, covering over 1315 acres area under shrimp farming. He further said that over 1 lakh 84 thousand tonnes of fish is being produced in the state annually. Apart from this, one shrimp training center, 11 feed mills and 7 laboratories have also been made operational for fish farmers in the state. He said that the fisheries department has also provided financial assistance of Rs. 23 crores to 431 beneficiaries under various projects.
While announcing expansion of Punjab Agro’s food processing unit situated at Abohar, the cabinet minister said that a Chilli processing plant will also be set up in Abohar and an announcement in this regard has already been made in the budget of Punjab.
S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian further informed that the construction of a new canal- Malwa canal- to run along the Rajasthan feeder canal will provide irrigation facilities to over 1,78000 acres of land and ramp up irrigation facilities in Faridkot, Bathinda, Muktsar and Fazilka. This project will not only provide water for agriculture but also stop the diversion of water to Pakistan, ensuring that farmers receive the appropriate supply of canal water.
The Minister said that these initiatives will have a positive impact on the local community by increasing income of farmers, supporting small businesses, and improving infrastructure. “The infrastructure developments and support to ancillary businesses are seen as key steps in the region’s economic growth and rural development. The future looks promising as the Punjab government continues to invest in the region’s potential”, he added.
Meanwhile, the Minister also mentioned the 671 government jobs in the Animal Husbandry Department and while adding that the state government has provided over 42,000 government jobs to youth on merit basis.
Earlier, Constituency Incharge Mr. Arun Narang thanked Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann and Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian for starting government Fish seed Farm.
Meanwhile, Punjab Agro Chairman Shaminder Singh Khinda said that in a short span of two years, the Punjab government has given jobs to thousands of youth based on merit, and brought revolutionary changes in the education and health sectors. Party General Secretary Upkar Singh Jakhar also welcomed the Cabinet Minister S. Khudian.
