J&K government helps unemployed youth in Rajouri set up fish farms under PMMSY scheme

Jammu and Kashmir government's Fisheries Department is helping the unemployed youth with employment opportunities by providing Trout fish farms in Rajouri district's Thanamandi. Under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) scheme, the unemployed youth of the Rajouri district have started self-employed units of Trout fish in cold regions like Thanamandi in the Rajouri district. 

"We have undertaken this project for the last six to seven months. The cultivation of Trout fish is benefiting us," said Salma Kouser, fish cultivator.  

"For unemployed people, fish cultivation can be a source of employment. We train people about how to cultivate Trout fish. This year, many people turned up. Through the cultivation of Trout fish, people can have a good source of income. We cover this under the PMMSY scheme," said Munish Sharma, Assistant Director, Fisheries department, Rajouri district.

J-K admin helps youth in Handwara set up fish farms under PMMSY scheme

Meanwhile, under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), the Jammu and Kashmir government's Fisheries Department is also assisting unemployed youth in the Handwara area of the Kupwara district in the Union Territory in establishing their own fish farms. PMMSY is the national government's flagship scheme for the development of the country's fisheries. The Fisheries Department is encouraging young people to start their own trout fish farms. Around 25 Carp fish farms and 14 trout fish farms have been created in this district of Kashmir Valley, which has benefited the region's unemployed young by allowing them to earn a fair living through their farms.

Central govt contributes to 40-60% of funds for PMMSY scheme

Trout fish farming can be done on a piece of land near a body of water. The central government contributes 40-60% of the funds to this plan, while unitholders contribute 40%. Youths who benefited from the scheme praised the national government and the Jammu and Kashmir Fisheries Department for their efforts to improve their lives.

Basit Qayoom Khan, a beneficiary of the scheme, said in September, "I have done M.Tech and was at home for a year. But then the Inspector of the Fisheries Department encouraged me to start fish farms. It has been four to five months since I started it. I have purchased seeds of Rs 50,000 and feed worth Rs 1.5 lakhs. I expect that Rs 7 to Rs 8 lakh will be generated after a month. It is a good step for the unemployed youth. I urge the youth to take the benefits of this scheme soon. I just had to give the land, everything else was provided by the government."

(with inputs from ANI)

(Image: ANI)