Punjab News : Marking a significant achievement in the fisheries sector, Punjab is now producing 2 lakh metric tonnes of fish annually from natural water bodies, as well as private and panchayati ponds, stated Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries Minister S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian on the occasion of National Fish Farmers Day.
Highlighting the sector’s progress, the Minister shared that over 43,683 acres in the state are currently under fish farming, along with 985 acres devoted to shrimp farming—reflecting the rapid expansion of aquaculture in Punjab.
He added that the state is equipped with 16 government fish seed farms, 11 fish feed mills, and 7 laboratories that actively support local fish farmers. To further encourage the sector, financial assistance totaling ₹30.64 crore has been provided to 637 fish farmer beneficiaries for projects such as fish and shrimp pond construction, fish feed mills, Recirculatory Aquaculture Systems (RAS), Biofloc systems, and transport facilities. These subsidies cover 40% to 60% of project costs.
ਕੌਮੀ ਮੱਛੀ ਪਾਲਕ ਦਿਵਸ ਮੌਕੇ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਦੇ ਪਸ਼ੂ ਪਾਲਣ, ਡੇਅਰੀ ਵਿਕਾਸ ਅਤੇ ਮੱਛੀ ਪਾਲਣ ਮੰਤਰੀ ਗੁਰਮੀਤ ਸਿੰਘ ਖੁੱਡੀਆਂ ਨੇ ਦੱਸਿਆ ਕਿ ਸੂਬੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਮੱਛੀ ਪਾਲਣ ਖੇਤਰ ਲਗਾਤਾਰ ਵੱਧ-ਫੁੱਲ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਸੂਬੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਪਾਣੀ ਦੇ ਕੁਦਰਤੀ ਸਰੋਤਾਂ, ਨਿੱਜੀ ਤਲਾਬਾਂ ਅਤੇ ਛੱਪੜਾਂ ‘ਚੋਂ ਸਲਾਨਾ 2 ਲੱਖ ਮੀਟ੍ਰਿਕ ਟਨ ਮੱਛੀ ਪੈਦਾ ਕੀਤੀ ਜਾ ਰਹੀ ਹੈ। ਮੱਛੀ… pic.twitter.com/3MrGEAqPyr
— Government of Punjab (@PbGovtIndia) July 11, 2025
In addition, eight private fish kiosks have been established to offer fish and fish products in clean, hygienic environments.
Gurmeet Singh Khudian extended his best wishes to Punjab’s fish farmers and credited the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann for the sector’s steady growth. He noted that this upward trend is opening new opportunities for fish and shrimp processing, expected to generate employment and contribute significantly to the state’s economy.
Encouraging the youth, the Minister urged them to consider fish farming as a profitable self-employment avenue, helping drive Punjab’s economic progress through participation in the growing aquaculture sector.