January 16, 2025
Koderma district of Jharkhand, India, saw big rise in fish production in last three years
The district of Koderma, Jharkhand, India, has registered a significant increase in fish production in the last three years.
More than 7,000 farmers took up fish farming, resulting in a rise in fish production in the district, according to official records.
Koderma's annual production was 12,400 metric tons in 2020-2021, which rose to 16,200 metric tons in 2023-2024.
"This year, the target is to achieve a production of 18,500 metric tons," said district fishery officer Vijay Kumar Singh. He said the district emerged as a good producer of fish in recent years as farming using the technique of cage culture has boosted fish production.
Speaking to TOI, Singh said: "In all, 350 cages in Panchkhero Dam in Markachho produce around 500 metric tonnes of fish, while 700 cages in Telaiya Dam water body produce 600 metric tonnes of fish annually. Apart from cage farming, fish production from other sources contributes around 7,000 metric tons, taking total annual fish production in the district to 18,000 metric tons."
He said the department is running several schemes to increase fish production.
"A 60% subsidy is given to farmers for setting up a biotic farm, and fish seed is provided free of cost," Singh added. He noted that pegasius and telapiya species of fish are produced.
"Twenty-eight fishermen cooperative societies are involved in fish farming, producing fish worth ₹100 crore (US$12.0 million), benefiting more than 10,000 farmers," Singh said. "To boost production, ₹30,000 (US$360) is given as a grant every year to 12 to 15 farmers for the purchase of a small boat and gill net. The director of fishery, Himachal Pradesh, will be coming to Koderma to observe the cage fish farming soon."
- The Times of India