MALIK MUHAMMAD ASIF BHA AWAN ADDRESSES FISH FARMERS CONVENTION

Lahore: Provincial Minister for Forests & Fisheries Malik Muhammad Asif Bha Awan has said that useless and barren land cannot only be made useful by establishing fish farms on it but income can also be increased substantially by enhancing fish production. He said that holding of conventions can help further promote contacts among fish farmers and experts.

He expressed these views while addressing fish farmers’ convention at Manawan Fisheries Research Center. Secretary Forests & Fisheries Capt. (R) Javed Akbar, Director General Fisheries Dr. Muhammad Ayub, former Secretary Forests Maj. (R) Iqbal Ahmed, Progressive Fish Farmer Khalid Amir Khan and Fish farmers all over the province were present on the occasion.

Provincial Minister said that Allah Almighty has bestowed all resources to the Punjab province for fish farming and not only the production of fish can be increased by utilizing these resources and facilities in an effective manner but the protein requirements can also be met.

Malik Muhammad Asif Bha Awan said that experts and field staff of Fisheries Department are playing effective role for the development of fisheries but there is still room for further improvement. He said that the government has increased development funds of Fisheries Department 300 times and work is also continuing on various development schemes through this huge amount for modernizing Fisheries Department.

Secretary Forests addressing on the occasion said that due to water pollution and seasonal changes, fish production is decreasing. He said that demand of fish is increasing day by day in and outside the country for which increase in the fish production is essential. He said that fish farming has increased from 28 thousand acre to 56 thousand acres within few years which reflect the interest of the people in fish farming and being this sector a profitable. He said that “Aqua Culture Export Processing Zone” is being set up in South Punjab with the cooperation of private sector.

Director General Fisheries Dr. Muhammad Ayub said that special training of women is top priority for giving the status of industry to aquarium. He said that department has started work in this regard which will create new job opportunities. Later, Provincial Minister, Secretary and DG Fisheries also visited various stalls set up by fish farmers and asked different questions from them.