Minister emphasises on ornamental fish culture

 

COOCH BEHAR, Feb. 25: State fisheries minister Mr Kiranmay Nanda emphasised on breeding of ornamental fish in the state. He said the government would arrange working capital for the co-operative societies or self-help groups for the venture. Already an Rs 9-crore scheme was taken to provide financial assistance to the SHGs and co-operative societies for the purpose.

 

Inaugurating the Rs 2.5-crore Maharaja Tourist Complex of Benfish in Cooch Behar today, Mr Nanda declared that the government would provide forty percent subsidy to the ornamental fish breeding projects. These co-operative societies and self-help groups should be of women members only. There is a plan to build up at least a women's co-operative society or SHG in each block in this state for the sole purpose of ornamental fish production, he declared.

 

The minister said there is a ready market in India and abroad for various ornamental fishes. It has a great demand in neighbouring Nepal too. Domestic market is also a factor that can encourage the growers. Mr Nanda said they are considering a plan to set up a market in Siliguri for trading of ornamental fish produced in this region. He praised the initiative of two women's SHGs of Dinhata who already started breeding of ornamental fishes. []