Government of Assam : State Plan Scheme

1.  Fish Seed farming.:- Good quality of Fish Seed is the basic inputs for profitable fish farming. So much emphasis has been given by fisheries Department for production and distribution of quality fish seed. Seed production technologies have been successfully transferred to the field by the Extension Staff of the Department resulting from fish seed deficit condition a few years back to surplus condition at present. The State is having 121 nos of Eco-Hatcheries producing fish seed to meet the demand of the Assam as well as neighboring States. But a considerable quality of fish seed produced by the seed producers is sub- standard due to inbreeding and cross breeding. These adversely effect the annual fish production of ponds and tanks. So Department has been producing quality fish seed at Departmental Fish seed Farms for distribution to fish farmers and fish seed growers to increased fish production and quality fish seed.

 2.  Reclamation of derelict water bodies:- The State of Assam is having about 26000 ha of derelict water bodies which are unsuitable for Agricultural crops. These areas can be converted into commercial fish culture fisheries with less capital investment. Local poor people are engaged to develop the area with the involvement of community. After development management of these fisheries are vested local communities with technical guidance from the Department. There are provisions for training to the farmers.
The modality of the scheme is to engage local poor people on daily wage basis for renovation/ reclamation of the water bodies. This is followed by adoption of scientific pisciculture activities. Post development management is done by a local committee/Self Help Group formed from the respective locally.

Under the scheme, the department provides the cost of reclamation/renovation/of the water body and the cost of inputs like Lime, Cow dung and Seed during 1st year. A two year short duration training to five members of respective community/ SHG is also imparted for post development scientific management of renovated water bodies. The community will bear the cost of inputs like contingencies and feed etc. and look after the overall management of derelict Water bodies project including Harvesting and Marketing of fish by constituting a management committee under the guidance of concern DFDO/SDFDO and FEO.

There is a fund of Rs. 100.00 lakh provided through re-appropriation under the head of account 2405- Fisheries (Plan), 13- Major Work, (r) Reclamation of derelict water bodies (under general) during the current year 2003-04.

The fund is proposed to be utilize to reclaim 94.25 Ha derelict water bodies in thirteen districts to give a annual fish production of 188.50 tonnes valued at Rs. 94.25 lakh. It is further stated that the unit cost for pisciculture expenses worked out RS.18,000/- per ha and Rs.1050/- per 5 members group of farmers respectively as stated below -

(i) Pisciculture Cost :
   Lime @ 600/Ha @Rs. 10.00                                     = Rs.  6000.00
   Seed @ 6000/Ha @Rs. 2/- each                              = Rs. 12000.00
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                                                Total                    =   Rs.18000.00

Cost of other inputs like manure and feed is proposed to be contribute by community.
(ii) Training Cost (for 2 days)
      Stipend @ Rs.80/-per day/farmers for 2 days
      = Rs. 160/-for 5 members (+)Traveling
     expenses @ Rs.100/per farmers                            =   Rs.900.00
(iii)  Contingencies expenses                                     =   Rs.150.00
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                                                Total                    = Rs. 1050.00

Cost for civil work for development of the fisheries would be project specific and in individual cases.

3. Training in fisheries:-. Extension support and technology transfer to fish farmers are of vital important for increasing farms out put. Training is and important method of men power development and transfer of technologies to farmers. There are 9 fish farmers training centers imparting training to the farmers  

4. Assam Agricultural Competitiveness Project

 World Bank Aided (AACP):- The development of Fisheries, Assam successfully implemented a multi-component World Bank Aided Project “Assam Rural Infrastructure and Agricultural Service Project”  (ARIASP) during 1995-96 to June 1994 with financial involvement of Rs 2142.16 lakh. To ensure continuity in development of this sector, another World Bank Aided Project under the Assam Agricultural Competitiveness Project (AACP) has been taken up at an estimated total cost of Rs 5742.00 lakh to be implemented in a period of 6(six) years. Objectives to the project are to improved Assam’s Fish industry in an integrated and systematic manner to increase competitiveness among poor and marginal farmers /  communities dependent on fish for primary and secondary income as an effort to alleviate poverty with additional thrust on production. Major component under the project are as follows:- 

1. Capacity Building and institutional Development:- under this programme all stakeholders- Fish Farmers, Fishermen, Members of Co-Operative Societies, communities and Fishery Extension Officials will be trained. There is also provision for awareness camps, seminars and workshop
2. Quality Fish Seed Production and Distribution:- Quality fish seed production is one of the thrust areas in the project. It is proposed to collect riverine pure fish seed of cultured species from the river Brahmaputra in spawn stage rear tham to fingerling and advance fingerling stage at five State Brood Bank and will be supplied to fish seed producers for use as Brood Fish to ensure quality of fish in the next generation.
3. Fish Production:- There are three main schemes which are totally beneficiary oriented. These will developed the Farmers Ponds and Community tanks, Integrated fish farming and Development of Beel fisheries.
4. Demonstration Project:- Under the scheme “Poly culture of Air-breathing fishes like Indian Magur, Singhi and Kaoi will be cultured with Rahu and catla at three Departmental fish farm to develop package and practices for the farmers.
5. Pilot Project:- Under the project Fishery Department will under take two pilot projects before transfer of technology from laboratory to field. The project are (i) Indigenous Ornamental and Endangered Fish Breeding and propagation.(ii) Fresh water Mussel farming for pearl production.

  Area Targeted for Fish Production:- 

Development of Farmers Ponds 1200 ha.

 (i) Single Stocking Single Harvesting – 800 ha

(ii)  Single Stocking Multiple Harvesting- 250 ha

(iii) Multiple Stocking Multiple Harvesting- 150 ha

 Development of Community Tank- 200 ha

 (i)   Single Stocking Single Harvesting – 200 ha

 Integrated Fish Farming- 250 ha

   (i)  Fish cum Pig Culture- 120 ha

   (ii)  Fish cum Horticulture- 80  ha

   (iii) Fish Cum Pig cum Horticulture- 50 ha

 Beel Fisheries Development – 3000 ha

Note :-

  (i) Spawn-- young one of fish length up to 8mm

  (ii) Fry-- young one of fish length above 8mm to 40mm

 (iii) Fingerling-- young one of fish length above 40mm to 80mm

 (iv) Advanced Fingerling-- young one of fish length above 80mm to 150mm.