New Delhi [India], January 3 (HBTV): The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana is playing a pivotal role in strengthening India's blue economy and revolutionizing the fisheries sector. Under this scheme, closed stone quarries in Chhattisgarh have become hubs for fish farming using cage culture technology, significantly boosting the production of fish such as Pangasius and Tilapia. This initiative is creating new opportunities for rural employment, empowering women, and fostering self-reliance, according to a press release.

The closed mines in the Rajnandgaon district of Chhattisgarh have been transformed into centers for employment and fish production. Fish are being reared in these mines with cage culture technology under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana. This initiative is not only creating new job opportunities for rural women and youth but also ensuring a steady supply of fresh fish nationwide.

A total of 324 cages have been installed in two mines in Joratarai at a cost of INR 9 crore 72 lakh. Fast-growing fish are reared in these cages and reach the market in just five months. Each cage produces approximately 2.5 to 3 tonnes of fish, providing employment to more than 150 people. Women involved in the project earn between INR 6,000 to INR 8,000 per month.

The scheme offers fish farmers a subsidy of up to 60 percent, empowering local youth and women. The cage culture technique ensures fish are reared in a healthy and safe environment, significantly reducing infection risks.

Under state government guidance, fast-growing fish like Pangasius and Tilapia are being cultivated in the mines. This method saves time and costs while enhancing production. In one mine at Joratarai, 162 unit cages have been installed at a cost of INR 4 crore 86 lakh, with the government providing subsidies of 40 to 60 percent to beneficiaries.

Fish reared in these closed mines are distributed to local and national markets, bolstering the rural economy and ensuring access to fresh fish. Women self-help groups have played a significant role in this project, using modern fish-farming technologies to achieve self-reliance.

This unique effort in Chhattisgarh is setting an example across the country by turning closed mines into centers of employment and production. It demonstrates the effective use of water resources while enhancing economic prosperity in rural areas.

(ANI)