With an amplified fish production in the past few years, the State aims to become self-sufficient in producing fish in next few years. Assam produced 2.06 lakh metric ton fish against a obligation of 2.26 lakh metric ton in 2008-09. “Around 20,000 metric ton fish come from outside the State to fulfil the order, but that too, could be reduced as the schemes launched by the State government and the section of Fisheries are getting popular with both big and small fish farmers,” Nurjamal Sarkar, Minister of Fisheries said this while addressing the media today.

In 2008-09, fish production recorded 8.4 per cent growth in contrast to the previous year, according to the Department of Fisheries. “In next five years, the State would be able to meet the prerequisite of fish in the market here,” he added.

He further added that since 2005-06 till 2008-09, the State Government has offered assistance to 34, 220 fish farmers under its diverse schemes. Around 250 young men and women have been trained as ‘Matsya Mitra’ – a scheme launched for training the youths from rural areas to popularize fisheries amongst the common villagers. Helping the Self Help Groups and preserving water bodies to expand them as fisheries are among the other schemes taken up by the government.

Maintaining aquariums and producing diverse varieties of ornamental fishes are also among the popular career choices in the fisheries sector.

A Fisheries Investment Facilitation Centre has also been opened up at Panbazar to help the fish farmers in connection with the State Bank of India and the Assam Grameen Vikash Bank.