Punjab seeks Andhra's help for fish farming

To promote fish farming across Punjab in a big way, the Punjab government has sought help from Andhra Pradesh.

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, in a letter to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, urged him to depute a team of experts to visit Punjab and advice the Punjab government on fish hatcheries, fish rearing and post-harvest technology.

Badal said that Andhra Pradesh was one of the most evolved states in fish production.

He pointed out that the Punjab government recently launched a pilot project of raising modern fish farms over an area of 600 acres.

"These would act both as a model as well as demonstration farm for prospective fish farmers," Badal said.

With Green Revolution state Punjab, which contributes over 50 percent food grain to the national kitty, reaching saturation point in agriculture - primarily wheat and paddy cultivation, the Punjab government wants farmers to diversify to other areas like dairy farming and fish farming.

Badal said that vast areas of south-west Punjab were waterlogged and were affecting agricultural output.

The Punjab government recently announced a subsidy of 50 percent on setting up fish farms in the state.