“Assam has become self sufficient in fish production by increasing production substantially in the last four years. The state produced 3.35 lakh metric tonne of fish in 2019-20 and FISHFED sold fish worth Rs 180 crore during the first two phases of lockdown. Apart from becoming Atma Nirbhar (self reliant) in fish production, we are being able to supply fish to other NE states and we have the capacity to become biggest producer and exporter of fish in the country.” Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal today said while taking part in the programme to distribute appointment letters to 12 Fishery Development Officers under Fisheries Department at the conference hall of Chief Minister’s Secretariat, Janata Bhawan. Responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to restart the development activities in parallel to fight against COVID19, Chief Minister Sonowal said that fishery sector has immense potential as Assam is blessed with abundant water resources and youth must take up fish farming for rapid economic development of the state. He also informed that Rs 20 thousand crores were allocated for fisheries sector by Central Government in the Rs 20 lakh crore economic stimulus package announced by Prime Minister Modi in the aftermath of COVID19 lockdown to revive country’s economy. Proposals worth Rs 1000 crore have already been submitted to Central Government by Assam Government for deriving maximum benefit from Rs 20 thousand crore allotted to fisheries, he said. Sonowal informed that 28 thousand MSMEs in the state have already derived benefits from Rs 3 lakh crore stimulus provided to MSME sector by the Centre. Highlighting his vision to capture the market of entire South East Asian and BBN countries, the Chief Minister urged the new appointees to dedicatedly perform their duties while going close to the fish farmers to understand and resolve their problems. The new FDOs must work with honesty and sincerity to turn the farmers’ weaknesses into strengths while incorporating latest scientific technologies for augmenting production, he said. Citing the example of Vietnam, where fishery and agriculture officials work in close tandem with the farmers, Sonowal urged the new appointees to utilise their academic knowledge in practical field through a friendly approach towards the fish farmers. There is greater demand in international market for fresh water fish vis-a vis sea fish and therefore, newly appointed FDOs must commit to the cause of capturing the global market through state’s fish in the spirit of ‘Vocal for Local’ mantra of Prime Minister Modi. Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Fishery Department Parimal Suklabaidya informed that apart from 12 FDOs given appointments today, the present State Government has given appointments to 99 FDOs, 32 Junior Engineers, 29 Fishery Demonstrators, 30 Junior Assistants among others in the Fishery Department. He also set a target of producing 7 lakh metric tonne of fish annually in the state through the implementation of schemes worth Rs 1000 crore, proposals for which have already been submitted to the Central Government. Media Adviser to the Chief Minister Hrishikesh Goswami, Legal adviser to the Chief Minister Shantanu Bharali, Chief Secretary Kumar Sanjay Krishna, Commissioner and Secretary of Fishery Department Rakesh Kumar were also present in the programme among others.
