Karnataka facing shortfall of fingerlings

Karnataka is facing a severe shortfall of fingerlings. In order to ease the situation, the government has sought central assistance to enhance production to meet the demand.

At present, Karnataka produces 15 crore fish fingerlings against the demand of 25 crore, said H S Veerappa Gowda, director, department of fisheries Karnataka.

This shortfall is being attributed to a three-year drought situations faced by Karnataka during financial years 2001-02, 2002-03 and 2003-04.

The state government, with the assistance from National Co-operative Development Corporation (NCDC), has taken up construction of seed production farm at the Bhadra Reservoir Project.

"This project has a capacity to produce one crore fish fingerlings and this can take care of the needs in Malnad and state's interior region, said Veerappa Gowda. Through Nabard's RIDF programme, the state government plans to take up massive rejuvenation and improvement programmes for ponds and lakes.

"When this programme is fully executed it can produce four to five crore fish fingerlings," he added.

Talking on status of inland fisheries in Karnataka, Veerappa Gowda, said presently, state's production is around 70,000 metric tonne and is recovering from three years of drought-like conditions, which impacted rural economies especially in interior Karnataka.