Patna: The state govt has identified eight priority projects to develop special fisheries clusters in Siwan, Saran, Munger, Mithila and Motihari districts under its Vision 2030 plan, CM Samrat Choudhary said during a review meeting on Thursday.Reviewing the Vision 2030 – Bihar Fisheries Priority Project, the CM said the initiative aims to develop a direct intervention area of 1,848.75 hectares and a project impact area of 9,357 hectares, with a target of producing 50,200 metric tonnes of fish annually.The project seeks to position Bihar among the country’s leading inland fisheries states by boosting fish production, generating employment and income opportunities, and strengthening the blue economy.Dairy, fisheries and animal resources department secretary Shirshat Kapil Ashok presented a roadmap focused on sustainable development and value addition in the fisheries sector. The plan envisages the development of fisheries infrastructure across the identified clusters while promoting processing, marketing and value-added activities.Funding support for the projects is proposed through the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) and the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).The roadmap includes region-specific interventions such as holistic development of the Siwan wetland cluster, freshwater giant prawn production in the Saran scampi cluster, cage culture in the Munger cluster, wetland-based fisheries in the Mithila region, particularly Madhubani, and the development of an integrated fisheries cluster in Motihari.Directing officials to expedite implementation, Samrat called for a clear and phased strategy to raise fish production across the state. He stressed the adoption of modern technology and scientific methods for better utilisation of water resources to increase both fish output and the income of fishing communities.The CM also emphasised the need to strengthen fisheries cooperative societies through skill development, technical support and improved management practices. Enhancing their productivity and financial sustainability, he said, would help improve the economic condition of fishermen and boost overall sectoral growth.
