KHAMMAM: In a bid to replicate the success with fish cage culture launched at Palair Reservoir last year, the fisheries department is planning to introduce the system at some other reservoirs in the district.
In order to help fishermen, whose livelihood solely depends on tanks and rivers, the state government is encouraging fish cage culture throughout the district. Since the fisherfolk make a catch mostly during summers, for rest of the year they have a difficult time making ends meet.
In this regard, the state government has conducted studies to provide continuous employment to the fisherfolk. Impressed by the success rate of fish cage culture in Bihar, the TS government decided to implement the system back home. Following this, the system was introuced in five districts: Palair Reservoir in Khammam, Kadem Project Reservoir in Adilabad, Lower Maneru Reservoir in Karimnagar, Asoksagar reservoir in Nizambad and Koil Sagar Reservoir in Mahaboobnagar. The state government is bearing the total project cost, which comes to `27 lakh for each unit. Of this, `13.64 lakh is towards the capital cost while `14 lakh is for the feed and seed. The units have reportedly brought in profits for the state government.
Meanwhile, assistant director of Fisheries department V Srinivas said that the authorities are planning to replicate the success story of Palair at the Wyra and Lankasagar Project Reservoirs. Proposals have been sent to government and its nod is awaited, he added. He also said that government will provide 80 per cent subsidy for the system while the beneficiaries should bear the remaining 20 per cent. The department is targeting to to sanction 19 fish cage culture units in the district this year, he added.