Fisheries Minister Flagged off Cage Culture in Inland Water Bodies Under NAEP

Krishnagiri: On Wednesday, Anitha R Radhakrishnan, Minister for Fisheries, launched cage culture in inland open water bodies used for irrigation. Under the National Agriculture Extension Program, cage culture in fish farming is being promoted in waterbodies.

Inaugurating cage culture in aquafarming, the Minister stated that the project was being executed at a cost of.3.12 lakh with the expectation that aquaculture in inland water bodies would contribute to both individual farmers and the community's income. Fiberglass coracles and fishing nets were provided to 60 farmers as part of the National Agriculture Extension Programme at a total cost of Rs. 4.52 lakh. 

Speaking on the occasion, Radhakrishnan stated that Andhra Pradesh has the biggest concentration of inland aquaculture farms contributing to the aquaculture of the country.

However, Tamil Nadu has lagged in the inland aquaculture sector, which the DMK government under Stalin has resolved to address, according to the Minister. 

Radhakrishnan stated that the government's current policy is to implement fish culture in all water bodies, with a specific emphasis on Tilapia culture. 

Krishnagiri has 9,085 acres of water bodies with a potential for 9,000 tonnes of fish output. There were lakes, ponds, and dams that needed to be developed for inland fish farming.

The department of fisheries conducted an initial assessment and assessed the potential in aquaculture to make policy intervention, Radhakrishnan said. 

Among the authorities present was Collector V. Jayachandra Bhanu Reddy.