Shillong, Jun 2: Union Minister of State for Ministries of Information & Broadcasting and Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Dr. L Murugan on his first day of visit in Meghalaya took stock of fish farming sites in the state and interacted with the fish farmers and beneficiaries of various government schemes under the Department of Fisheries.
The Minister visited a fish farm at Umeit village in Ri-Bhoi district and interacted with the farmers and discussed the various farming activities carried out by them.
He encouraged locals to pursue fish farming and generate employment opportunities for the local community.
Dr. Murugan also held a discussion with fish farming trainees at the Meghalaya State Fisheries Research and Training Institute at Mawpun Kshaid, Ri-Bhoi district.
He also visited a site in Umiam lake where fish seeds are released to Umiam river.
Speaking about the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), Dr. Murugan said that the central government’s focus lies on infrastructural development in the fisheries sector of the country.
He the various facilities available for benefitting individual entrepreneurs in fish farming such as ice storage, cold storage, processing units, etc. He urged the fish farmers to capitalise on the opportunities provided by the government.
The Minister, while interacting with the fish farmers spoke in detail about PMMSY, the flagship scheme for focused and sustainable development of fisheries sector in the country.
Dr. Murugan stressed on the rising demand for exports from India.
During an interaction with the media, Dr. Murugan expressed his delight in visiting Meghalaya and briefed about the various schemes that are being implemented under his Ministries.
The Minister also informed about the upcoming mobile veterinary units that will be sponsored centrally and funds will be provided to States under the animal husbandry department.
The Minister is on a two-day visit to Meghalaya starting today.
During his stay, the Minister will visit various project sites to review the fishery infrastructure, and implementation of PMMSY as well as schemes of Animal Husbandry in the State.
The Minister will also be interacting with the beneficiaries in Shillong.
Dr. Murugan has also scheduled a visit to the All India Radio, Cherrapunjee. He will be interacting with the officials of the departments under the Ministry of I & B and Animal Husbandry & Fisheries.
