Sikkim: Government fisheries schemes promoted in Gangtok

The National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), Hyderabad, in collaboration with the Fisheries Department, Government of Sikkim, successfully conducted an outreach campaign on central government fisheries schemes at Janta Bhawan, DPH Road, Gangtok. The program aimed to raise awareness about government initiatives while promoting sustainable practices, entrepreneurship, and cooperative development in the fisheries sector.

The event saw active participation from representatives of Fisheries Cooperative Societies, Fisheries Farmer Producer Organizations (FFPOs), progressive fish farmers, and Roshni Rai, Secretary, Fisheries Department, and K.K. Shrestha, Director, Fisheries Department, along with senior district officers and field staff.

Addressing the gathering, Mrs. Roshni Rai underscored the significant role of fisheries in Sikkim's economic growth. She applauded the NFDB for its consistent support and urged fish farmers to seize opportunities provided under schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). She stated the state's immense potential for trout and cold-water fish farming, describing it as a niche sector with vast entrepreneurial opportunities and scope for value addition. Rai also highlighted the importance of creating robust market linkages to ensure better returns for fish farmers, stressing the state government’s commitment to sustainable fisheries development.

Ashim Kumar Borah, Senior Executive and Officer-in-Charge of NFDB’s North East Regional Centre (NERC), began the program with an overview of the campaign's objective—empowering fish farmers through government schemes. He discussed the critical role of fisheries cooperatives in enabling collective growth and improved market access.

Dr. Nandakishore Ingole from NFDB, Hyderabad, provided a detailed presentation on flagship initiatives, including the PM Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah Yojana (PM-MKSSY), Fisheries Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF), and support measures such as Aquaculture Insurance, Kisan Credit Cards (KCC), and the National Fisheries Digital Platform (NFDP).

Highlighting the region’s suitability for trout production, Dr. Suresh Chandra Kabdwal, Principal Scientist at ICAR-DCFR, Bhimtal, addressed the challenges and strategies for enhancing trout farming in Sikkim. Meanwhile, Mr. Bhuneswar Jaiswal, Technical Officer, ICAR-CIFT, Visakhapatnam, emphasized the entrepreneurial opportunities available through value addition in trout and other cold-water fish species.