Page 55 - Mann ki Baat (English)

fish production of 195 lakh effort that individual stories
tonnes, creating 58 of enterprise find their
lakh livelihoods, and most powerful expression.
empowering 99,018 Sujata Bhuyan of
women. Sambalpur, Odisha, is one
Central to this such story. A homemaker
transformation has turned cage culture fish
been the modernisation farmer, she first encountered
of production techniques. the technique during a family
Technologies such as cage visit to the Hirakud Reservoir in
culture, biofloc, recirculatory 2022.
aquaculture systems, and "I saw cage culture fish
seaweed cultivation — all farming for the first time," she
actively promoted under PMMSY recalls. "I became very curious
— are opening new avenues and started observing how it
for fishers, entrepreneurs, was being done. I realised that
and fish farmers alike, while such a vast water resource had
reducing post-harvest losses so much potential." Acting on
and strengthening value chains that moment of recognition,
from catch to consumer. The she approached the Fisheries
scheme's vision extends further: Department, underwent
the government aims to enhance technical training, and launched
aquaculture productivity from 3 her own venture with the support
to 5 tonnes per hectare, double of a government subsidy and a
seafood exports to ₹1 lakh bank loan. Early challenges —
crore, and generate 55 lakh the unpredictability of reservoir
employment opportunities. weather, the cost and availability
It is within this larger national of fish feed — only deepened

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