Mysore/Mysuru: With the arrival of monsoon, the Department of Fisheries is aiming to produce 40 crore fingerlings in Mysuru Zone (Mysuru, Mandya, Hassan, Kodagu and Chamarajanagar).

In recent times, inland fish cultivation has become a major source of income for farmers and merchants in the district. Due to high demand last year in the local markets, the Department is planning for increased production this year and has already started to produce 20 crore fingerlings at fingerling production units of both Kabini and Nugu Dams in Mysuru.

Speaking to Star of Mysore, Senior Deputy Director of Fisheries Department, Mysuru Zone, K. Narayan said, “Fingerlings of popular fish varieties including Catla, Rohu, Mrigal Carp, Common Carp, Grass Carp and Silver Carp are being produced here. There is a huge demand for Catla variety in Mysuru, which grows up to 1 kg within a span of six to seven months, particularly in the months of June and July. Hence, we are aiming to produce more of Catla variety fishes. Depending upon the demand, other varieties will also be cultivated.”

“As soon as the local lakes and tanks are full due to rainfall in rainy season, some people purchase 5-day-old fingerlings for cultivation, while farmers and fish merchants usually prefer 3-month-old fingerlings. Fish sales might have been adversely affected due to the lockdown, but still the demand is huge,” he added.

Deputy Director of Mysuru Division Fisheries Department D. Siddiah said, “There are over 100 lakes in Mysuru district which come under Fisheries Department while there are more than 900 lakes in Gram Panchyat (GP) limits. Fish farming is being undertaken in 93 lakes of the Department as well as 120 lakes of GP. Various types of loan facility is available for fish and aquatic farming under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada  Yojana (PMMSY).”