Sindri: The coal capital of India – Dhanbad, which is surrounded by nearly 112 coal mines – has added another feather to its cap. The district now has a thriving fish farming business which has given livelihood opportunities to thousands of uneducated and unemployed youngsters and even the government is now providing them with all kinds of assistance in order to double their income. “We were able to produce 1,36,00 tonnes of fish in the last fiscal year and this year, we are planning to produce 1,50,00 tonnes,” district fisheries officer Mujahid Ansari said on Saturday.
He said, “With the slogan ‘Jahan Bhi Dekho Paani, Wahin Palo Machhli Rani’, we are now encouraging even the educated youths to take up fish farming since it has proved to be a profitable form of self –employment.” He added, “The government subsidy on fish spawns ranges from 80% to 90% and fish feed, fishing net and recharge coupons are being provided to all the trained fish farmers, especially to those engaged in rearing of spawns and fry-fishes of 1 to 1.5inch size.”
To make spawns available to the farmers on time, the government is running seven hatcheries in Dhanbad where artificial breeding with brooder fishes is being conducted. “The state government has also set up a fish feed mill in Dhanbad for the benefit of farmers,” Ansari said.
He further said, “Since only 30% of the ponds in the district are perennial, the government is promoting cage culture in rivers and in dams which produce fish in large quantities in a protected environment. Cage batteries have been provided for this purpose to around 10 fish farmers on subsidy.”
In Dhanbad, there are 2,975 government-owned tanks and ponds spread over an area of 1,204 hectares, 7,779 private ponds spread over an area of 3,624 hectares, reservoirs covering 15,425 hectares, 104 dovas (small ponds) spread over 85 hectares, check dams having a water area of 100 hectares, coal mine pits having a water area of 368 hectares and 312km area of rivers are being used for fish farming.
As many as 2,000 fish farmers are engaged in cooperative fish farming and most of them are earning well now. Kalimuddin Ansari, who hails from Kusumdaha, has started his own packaging and marketing unit of fish produced in Panchet Dam. Not only does he own pick-up vans for collecting fish from different ponds, but he also helps the other fish farmers in availing the benefits of various government schemes.
Loyabad-based Ranjit said he has already sold more than 250 quintals of fish in September and the money is enough to support his family of eight. “I got Rs 2 lakh as financial assistance, a bike and a pick-up van from the government, besides fish spawns on subsidized rates,” he added.
Kamardih Tundi-based Tatbir Ansari has been in the business for the last 30 years and now all his 30 family members are helping him in farming across 42 big and small ponds. He has his own fish shop in the area and has started supplying fish spawns, fry and fingerlings to farmers in the nearby districts of Giridih and Jamtara. “I also procure fish spawns and fry from the neighbouring districts of West Bengal, as and when required,” he added. He also has got a bike from the fisheries department, besides spawns, net and feed.