The two-day Punjab Fish Mela-2016, organised by the Fishery Department, concluded at the PAU here today. Irrigation Minister Sharanjit Singh Dhillon was the chief guest on the occasion. A seminar, exhibition and cultural programmes were organised on the concluding day. Farmers rearing fish spoke about the problems they were facing while experts gave them the solutions. Dhillon said the event would help farmers adopt occupations related to fishery as their prime occupation. He added that fish farming, poultry farming, goat farming, pig and dairy farming if adopted together, could be cost effective and more productive, apart from generating income. Speaking on the occasion, Mandeep Singh Sandhu, Additional Chief Secretary (Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and Dairy Development), said Punjab was the first state in the country which was giving 50 to 90 per cent subsidy on fish farming. For marketing, three state-of-the-art fish markets have been started in the state, he said. Sandhu exhorted experts to research and encourage fish farming in areas having hard water, as well. Later, he honored progressive farmers and scientists in the field of fisheries. Meanwhile, scientists shared their views about fish farming during a seminar organised today. During a session, Dr Gopal Krishna, Vice-Chancellor-cum-Director, CIFE-Mumbai, spoke about fisheries education and training in India. Another expert Dr Harikrishan, scientist in charge, CIFE-Rohtak, spoke about rearing of prawns in hard water areas. Dr P Parveen, Assistant Director General, ICAR-New Delhi, spoke about boats and net for catching fish. Other experts spoke about value-added fish products, status of fish farming in the state and cage culture etc.
The Tribune Trust, 2015