Mayabunder, Mar. 12: As part of catering to the need of freshwater fish seed and for promotion of freshwater aquaculture production in N&M Andaman District, a Fish Seed Farm with all the ancillary facilities was inaugurated on 9th March, 2024 at Basantipur, Billiground by Shri. Vishwendra, DANICS, Secretary (Fisheries), A&N Administration. The Fish Seed Farm has been established by Department of Fisheries at a total cost of Rs. 1.068 Cr. The newly established farm has three freshwater fish bloodstock ponds, two nursery ponds for rearing of fish larvae to fry to fingerling stages, laboratory with facilities for basic water quality tests and regular aquatic health management, separate packing hall and a dedicated office room and a potable Carp Hatchery for production of seeds of Indian Major Carps during monsoon season.

Speaking on the occasion, the Secretary (Fisheries) expressed his happiness on fulfilment of the long pending demand of N&M Andaman Fish Farmers and appealed to the farmers for taking up extensive freshwater aquaculture in a scientific and innovative way under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana for better production of fresh water fishes and income generation. He also emphasized about the availability of potential land area suitable for freshwater fish culture in N&M Andaman. He informed the gathering that this newly constructed fish farm will open avenues in the District to become a hub of freshwater fish production of A&N Islands. He also appealed to the Cooperatives and Self Help Groups of the area to make use of the newly constructed ponds under Amrit Sarovar scheme for Aquaculture activities for promoting community based approach of Aquaculture activities.

Earlier, Shri Vikram Singh, DANICS, Director of Fisheries welcomed the chief guest and detailed on the recent initiatives and achievements of A&N Administration in the area of Aquaculture in the Islands. He ensured the support of Department for skill development in the area of Innovative Aquaculture and for extending financial assistance in the form of subsidy under PMMSY and loan under KCC scheme of Govt. of India.

Shri Ramkrishna Roy, Pradhan, Gram Panchayat, Basantipur expressed his happiness on creation of such facility in the area which will turn Basantipur to a Centre point for production and supply of fish seed in N&M Andaman District. Shri Shankar Mondal, Zilla Parishad Member, Swadesh Nagar, Shri. Manojit Halder, Pradhan, Harinagar GP and Shri Debabrata Das, Pradhan, Swadesh Nagar GP also spoke on the occasion. The programme concluded with the vote of thanks proposed by Dr. K. Gopal, Joint Director (Fisheries.