'New farms to help double fish output'

The initiatives of Punjab government for establishment of new fish farms can help double fish production in Faisalabad, said Deputy Director Fisheries Muhammad Ashraf.
"The government decision to provide loans for fish farming at only two per cent mark-up was a revolutionary step," he said adding it was a great incentive for fish farmers to start their venture and increase production.
He said at present there were only 98 commercial fishponds that spread over 391 acres of land. The per acre fish production had been estimated at 800 kg, and this figure could easily be doubled by ensuring necessary timely inputs.
"In fact, with this attractive loan facility, the number of fish farms could also be doubled. Wasteland stretches with brackish ground water is available in abundance in Faisalabad area, which can be best utilised to establish fish farms, as cultivation of traditional crops is uneconomical on these lands." he said.