Sikkim Mail

Gangtok: October 17

The Department of Animal Husbandry, Livestock, Fisheries and Vetenary Services
(AHLF&VS) is all set to facilitate 40 fish farmers across state with farming of
‘Rainbow Trout’ under 2011-12 financial year plan.

While speaking to the secretary AHLF&VSDP, D P Sharma informed that last financial
year the department provided 106 beneficiaries across state with fish farm
especially on the fish species Rainbow Trout. The farmers facilitated with fish
farm in the financial year 2010-11 included 36 from west district, 20 from south,
30 from east and 20 from north districts respectively. But under the present
financial 2011-12 only 40 farmers in total 10 each in every district will be
facilitated under the fish farming project added Sharma.

Trout fish are of two different varieties and the farming is only possible above
7000 feets altitude. Brown trout is nature based fish which cannot be farmed as
this fish feeds on the natural weed, feed available in the natural lakes or
streams only whereas the other type Rainbow Trout is made commercial as this
variety of fish can feed on the artificial feed, weed available and considering
the feeding nature of rainbow trout the same has been brought to the farmers level
currently.

Sharma informed that National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB),
Government of India is providing every possible help in respect to trout farming
in state and the support provided includes financial as well as technical
assistance required by the state government in trout farming.
The farming of Rainbow trout in state is the vision of the Chief Minister Pawan
Chamling and currently the fish farmers in the ground level have also showcased
great interest in trout farming as the demand of rainbow trout in market within
and outside state has increased adequately inclusive of people’s participation.
Each farmer under one component of trout farming are provided with a total
financial assistance amounting to Rs. 1lakhs 15thousand and in the first phase a
sum of rupees fifty thousand is handed over to the farmer to prepare the raceway
(Fish tank) which is monitored and inspected by the departments officials . After
completion of the raceway the finger links amounting to 1500
are provided to the farmer and in the initial phase the department officials
visit each and every farmers with inputs till the farmers attains full knowledge
on fish farming by themselves said Sharma. Like wise the remaining Rs. 65
thousand is given out to the farmers in the forms of weeds, feeds for the fish.
Sharma mentioned that the trout farmers are also provided with adequate
training on pisciculture, fish farming by the department in the first phase and
only after that the projects are handed out. The only problem persisting in trout
farming is that the trout’s take at least 18th months to grow fully whereas the
rest is simple.

Informing more he stated that the department of AHLF&VS met with huge damages in
numerous farms, infrastructures across state and under the temporary restoration
process the department have demanded for Rs. 2 crores with the government but
under long term restoration the department requires Rs. 27.15 crores as per the
assessments made so far.

The animal breeding farms, Vetenary clinics that existed across state has been
damaged by the devastating earthquake of 18th September 2011 and the
most affected are in Chungthang, Tingbong, Dzongu, Bop and many other places in
north district and a few in other districts.

 

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