Union Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting and Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying Dr L Murugan arrived at Nagaland on Friday for a 3-day visit. Upon his arrival, he headed straight to Phek district in a chopper to see the progress of implementation of central government flagship schemes where the Union Minister interacted with officials of various departments and Civil Society Organisations (CSO) at the District Planning & Development Board conference hall in Phek district headquarters in the afternoon, PIB stated.
Encouraging farmers not to hesitate to forward proposals for new projects, Murugan asserted that funding is not a constraint for development of sectors including fisheries. He urged the people, particularly the young entrepreneurs, to come forward and boost the local fish production, availing the benefits of Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). Under the Modi government, the investment in Fisheries has increased to more than Rs 38000 Crores in the last nine years, he added.
The visiting Union Minister said NE has lot of potential in the fishery sector but lamented that the huge demand for fish is currently met by imports from outside.
Stating that RAS and bio- flocs are emerging technologies and Phek district should make full benefits of these emerging technologies in fisheries. Integrated Fishery and piggery could be another area which could benefit the people of Phek. Dr Murugan said for 2022-23, a total of 40 projects have been approved under PMMSY with a significant rise in fund allocation. He added that National Livestock Mission subsidies are being provided to piggery and poultry.
On the initiatives being taken up in the veterinary sector, the Union Minister said that more than 4000 Mobile veterinary units, with the cost more than Rs 650 crore have been sanctioned across the nation to deliver veterinary services to the doorsteps of the farmer. Out of these, 16 units have been allocated for Nagaland including one for Phek district.
Earlier, Dr Murugan distributed the Best Fish Farmer Award under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) to five fish farmers of Phek district. He also virtually inaugurated three fish projects in the state – one each in Dimapur, Peren and Kohima.
Later in the evening, the Union Minister visited two fishery units located at the periphery of Phek district and interacted with farmers.
Interacted with the department officials of state government at District Planning & Development Board conference Hall, Phek district, Nagaland. (1/3)#Nagaland@PMOIndia @Neiphiu_Rio @PIB_India pic.twitter.com/sPtkYKbOWM
— Dr.L.Murugan (@Murugan_MoS) April 21, 2023
Earlier, Murugan was received at Dimapur Airport by officials of the different units of I & B Ministry – PIB, CBC, AIR and DDK based in Kohima, state DIPR and Fisheries Department. During the interaction, he said development is the main motto of the Narendra Modi government.
Stating that the government has completed eight Udaan connectivity from Nagaland’s Dimapur, the Union Minister recalled the words of Prime Minister Narendra Modi who said “border villages are not the last village, but the first village and country’s development should begin from there.”
Stressing on Modi government’s focus on connectivity, he informed that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has approved more budget under Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network Development (BIND) scheme to strengthen the broadcasting services in the North East. The central government has initiated procurement of more than 8 Lakh DTH receiver sets for distribution in remote, tribal regions including in North East.
