Berhampur: A fish hatchery unit, managed by the members of women self-help groups (SHGs) under the state government’s
Mission Shakti scheme, will soon come up on a three-acre land at Subalaya in
Ganjam district.
The unit is being set up at an investment of Rs 25 lakh by the Mission Shakti. Also, 10 women SHGs will contribute Rs 5 lakh for the project. The piece of land has been provided to the groups by local villager Surath Pradhan, husband of Ganjam panchayat samiti chairperson
Sarmistha Pradhan.
“We have provided the land as a 20-year lease basis for the unit to be set up. The initiative will extend livelihood support to local women,” said Sarmistha.
Three big tanks — each measuring an acre — will be established in the area. “Work of the tanks is on. The unit will start commissioning in one-and-a-half months,” said
Shinde Dattatraya Bhausaheb, project director, District Rural Development Agency.
Besides fish seeds, a fish feed production unit will also be established there at Rs 15 lakh. This will also be managed by the SHGs. About 111 women of 10 groups from nearby villages will be engaged with the project.
“The units will supply fish seeds and feed to all women SHGs across the district. The groups have already started fish production activities in panchayat ponds in several villages,” the official added.