Mounesh Vishwakarma

Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal (EP)

Bantwal, Feb 12: “The department of fisheries is holding programmes in order to increase the production, market and quality of fish. It has planned schemes to create self-employment opportunities,” said state minister of fisheries, ports and inland transport, S Angara. He was speaking after inaugurating an inland fish farming camp held by the department of fisheries at Oddoor Ganjimath farm.

“Farmers should obtain continued income if they should become the backbone of the country. There should be provision to market his produce while maintaining quality. The fisheries department should encourage farmers who indulge in fish farming. We encourage farming of fish that has special medicinal properties. Therefore the breed of Madanje should be stressed. Demand will rise when production rises. We give importance to self-employment to eradicate unemployment with the vision of Atma Nirbhar India,” he said.

“Technology is being used to make fish reach the doorsteps of people. Cold storage facilities will be arranged in every taluk,” he said.

Bantwal MLA Rajesh Naik said that there should be a market for the produce grown by farmers. “The department should look into it. There should be support to provide information relating to farming and transport. Only the fishing system here could withstand the ill effects of pandemic. The department should provide the details of fishing to the future generation in order to make profit,” he said.

Mangaluru north constituency MLA Dr Bharath Shetty who presided over the programme said that the seminar is held as there is scarcity of knowledge about fishing. “Farmers should indulge in fish farming along with cultivation to earn more,” he said.

Thenka Edapadav gram panchayat president Sukumar, Karnataka fisheries development corporation managing director Dinesh Kumar, Mangaluru fisheries university dean Dr Shivakumar Magada, district fisheries centre senior scientist and head of the department Dr G J Ramesh, farmer’s association state secretary Manohar Shetty, honorary president Dhanakeerthi, district president Sridhar Shetty, Ganjimath gram panchayat member Nonayya Kotian and scientist professor Manjappa were present.

The minister distributed the letters of approvals for allotment of houses to the beneficiaries under Matsya Ashraya Vasati scheme.

Fisheries department additional director M L Doddamani welcomed. Director D Thippeswamy gave a keynote address. Fisheries joint director Harish Kumar rendered a vote of thanks.