Hyderabad: Fisheries and Animal Husbandry Minister Vakiti Srihari said on Saturday that the Telangana government is actively growing the fisheries sector through a major quality seedlings drive. This effort aims to boost rural incomes and promote local economic development.
As part of the campaign, the state will distribute 84 crore fish seedlings and 10 crore shrimp seedlings across 26,000 ponds this year. Minister Srihari, along with Minister Ponnam Prabhakar and Fisheries Corporation Chairman Mettu Sai Kumar, released 3 lakh seedlings worth ₹5.17 lakh at Yellamma Lake in Husnabad, Siddipet district.
Quality seedlings drive to aid thousands of fishing families
According to Srihari, 253 fishing families will benefit directly from the Yellamma tank release. Across Husnabad, the plan includes 38.92 lakh seedlings spread over 165 tanks, supporting 4,144 families. He said this is part of a wider government plan to make fisheries a key sector in Telangana’s economy.
To support women, the government launched three mobile fish retail vans under the Indira Mahila Shakti Scheme. It also provides ₹5 lakh insurance to the families of fishermen in case of accidental death, offering financial security.
Srihari vows to improve fishery and veterinary services
During the event, Minister Ponnam Prabhakar asked Srihari to upgrade the veterinary hospital in Husnabad and complete the fish market that is under construction. He also requested a new milk cooling center and more staff for veterinary care.
In response, Srihari promised to modernize the hospital and finish building the fish market. He said the government would also set up storage and cooling centers in the area.
The minister added that over 5 lakh families in Telangana depend on fisheries for their livelihood. He said plans are in progress to expand fish production units and improve supply chains across the state.