ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Sahabzada Muhammad Mehboob Sultan said that the government would soon announce a fisheries policy for promoting aquaculture and fish farming in the country.
While inaugurating Cage-Fish Farming Center in Chakwal, he said the policy envisaged provision of technical and other assistance to farmers to promote fish farming, which would boost exports and help earn foreign exchange.
The minister said sufficient water resources were available in the country to boost fish production for local consumption as well as for export purposes. “At a time when cage fish farming is gaining popularity across the world, Pakistan can utilise its water resources, including rivers, lakes and ponds to promote aquaculture,” he added.
“It will help the country exploit world market, as there is around 20kg annual per head fish consumption in the world,” he said, adding the government was providing 80 per cent subsidy on the establishment of cage fish farms.
He lamented that previous governments had not paid any attention towards the lucrative farming sector. “Now, the food ministry has been working in accordance with the vision of the prime minister to promote agriculture sector,” he added.
He said the government has initiated three big projects, including farming of Jinga fish, cage farming and trout fish farming in northern areas. With the establishment of small fish farms in Potohar region, the overall fish output would increase.
In addition to catering to the domestic needs, he said the fish production would help the country earn foreign exchange by exporting the surplus yield.
The minister said that the employment would benefit feed mills, farmers and processing plants.
“In the first week of November, a meeting will be arranged on value chain to make this business more viable and profitable,” he added.
Speaking on the occasion, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Jahangir Tareen said at the time when the incumbent government came into the power, the fisheries department of Punjab was almost shut down. “When the prime minister’s attention was sought towards the issue, he appreciated the move and allocated Rs13 billion for launching the projects for fish farming,” he added. “Fish farming is emerging as an industry and it is creating employment opportunities for the people.”
