One lakh fish farmers of Assam suffer estimated loss of Rs 70 crore

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The fishery sector of Assam was just beginning to get a new fillip when the recent waves of flood struck and left it absolutely devastated.

It has been estimated that the fishery sector of the state sustained flood-induced losses to the tune of around Rs 70 crore last month alone. More than one lakh fish farmers have been affected by the flood havoc.

According to official sources, fish farming had seen considerable growth in the state over the past few years, resulting in domestic production almost matching the demand for fish. In 2020-21, the demand for fish was 4 lakh metric tonne in the state and the domestic production was 3.93 lakh metric tonne.

However, the sources said that this year's floods have resulted in both mature fish as well as fry (baby fish) getting released from various fisheries. Although the resultant loss to fish farmers is estimated at around Rs 70 crore, but only around Rs 40 crore is expected to be provided under the State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF). The Fishery Department has already submitted details of the damage assessment to the Revenue and Disaster Management Department, the sources added.

Officials of the Fishery Department said that over the last few years fish farmers of the state have been provided with several incentives under various schemes of the Central and state governments to promote the 'Blue Revolution'. These schemes include PM's Matsya Sampada Yojana, CM's Samagra Grammya Unnayan Yojana, Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) etc. As a result of the thrust provided by the Central and state governments, many youths of Assam have got engaged in pisciculture. "Fish farming has been one of the common activities in the rural areas. The fishery sector is considered as an important economic activity in the socio-economic context in the state, providing scope for employment generation. Many youths have taken loans from banks on their own initiative and started the fish farming business. However, the recent floods have literally washed away their hard work and investment," an official said.

He added that the worst-affected areas in the fishery sector include Barpeta, Darrang, Nalbari, Goalpara, Karimganj and Kamrup.

There are around five lakh ponds/tanks in the state where fish is reared. There are also 1,904 beels which serve as fisheries. Moreover, there are 4,434 derelict water bodies/swamps in the state from which fish is caught. Finally, there are the rivers Brahamaputra and Barak and their 53 tributaries where fish abound.

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