The Punjab fisheries department will soon launch 'pilot shrimp farming cluster' development project at a cost of Rs 2.647 billion on 2500 acres of land in the province.

Farmers under this programme will be given subsidy on seed and fish for three consecutive years to help them become self-sustainable. The project is in line with the department's mission of ensuring availability of protein to masses; lower the malnutrition and exploitation of untapped natural resources and uplifting of socio-economic condition of fish farmers.

Sources told Business Recorder on Monday that Muzaffargarh has been identified to carry out this pilot project as saline water area of the district is most suitable for fish production. Applications have been received from farmers to join this programme during the first year of this project. These applications are under scrutiny and successful candidates will be announced shortly.

Successful candidates will be given 75 percent subsidy on seed and feed during the first year of the project and 50 percent during the second year, so that farmers do not rely on any subsidy or assistance for good.

Farms on 1250 acres to be developed during the first 1-3 year of this project while another 1250 acres of land would be brought under shrimp farming in the last two years of this project with same methodology of extending 75 percent subsidy on seed and feed in first year and 50 percent during the next year, sources added.

Director General Department of Fisheries Punjab Dr Sikandar Hayyat commenting on the project said that the department is trying to expand fisheries production in saline areas while it has also established an aquaculture research lab in Muzaffargarh to explore the true potential. He said that the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) is also arranging training of fish farmers for promoting different fish producing methods such as shrimp farming and cage cluster development etc.