Hyderabad: The Telangana government launched a fish seed subsidy scheme worth Rs.133.32 crore on Monday. The programme provided fish and prawn seed at 100 per cent subsidy for the 2026-27 financial year. The government aimed to increase annual fish production in the State to six lakh tonnes. It also sought to support the livelihoods of nearly five lakh fisher families.
Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Minister Vakiti Srihari and Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy formally launched the programme. The event took place at Nalla Cheruvu in Wanaparthy district.
Fish seed subsidy scheme covers 26,547 water bodies
Vakiti Srihari said the government had allocated Rs.133.32 crore for the statewide programme. Under the fish seed subsidy scheme, the government planned to release 84.59 crore fish seed into 26,547 water bodies.
It also planned to distribute 10 crore prawn seed across about 300 water bodies. “The primary objective is to maximize the utility of every viable water body in Telangana,” Srihari said.
He said the 100 per cent subsidy would remove the upfront seed cost for fishing communities. The programme would directly and indirectly benefit nearly five lakh fisher families, he added.
Scientific stocking planned across Telangana
Srihari said officials were following scientific methods while releasing fish and prawn seed into water bodies. According to the Minister, around 50 per cent of reservoirs and tanks in Telangana had sufficient water for stocking.
The government expected the initiative to increase fish production to six lakh tonnes across the State. Wanaparthy MLA Megha Reddy and District Collector Adarsh Surabhi also participated in the launch. Other officials and representatives attended the programme.