Port Blair, Mar 02: An awareness programme on self employment organized by Unnati at Humferygunj on 01-03-2023 in association with Humferygunj Gram Panchayat, Directorate of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, KVIB with the objective to provide viable economic activities to Self Help Groups, Joint Liability Groups and unemployed youths with special focus on fisheries and animal husbandry related activities considering the various new assistances recently extended by Govt. of India under these sectors.
At the outset Mr. Palani Kumar Pradhan Humferygunj welcomed the participants, Unnati, for organizing the function coordinating all departments and KVIB within one day’s notice. Mr. C. Mohammed President mentioned that there is tremendous scope in the fisheries sector alone to address unemployment problem if we avail the facilities under the newly introduced schemes of PMMSY in which 26 types of assistance available to different types of fisheries related activities. Similarly, the National Livestock Mission of the Veterinary Department also provides huge subsidies. The details will be elaborated by the officials of the Departments.
Likewise now assistants are also extended under the modified PMEGY for fisheries and livestock activities. Participants were requested to clarify their doubts and avail the assistance. No doubt there is good scope in poultry farming. Even eggs and chickens are imported from the mainland. Earlier in 80s this Panchayat, more than 250 members of women groups were engaged in poultry farming because there was assured supply of a poultry feed unit of Shoalbay set-up by us but after its closure, now the poultry farmers are facing difficulty to get poultry feed regularly. Therefore, for poultry farming, we first have to ensure supply of poultry feeds. He further said Andaman Sea is rich in marine resources which need to be exploited by us to check poaching and to provide employment as well and thus we can avoid security risk from poachers if fishing activities/ deep sea fishing started in Andaman Sea. Keeping this objective in view Andaman Fishing Limited was formed but yet to start its activities. This is to be operationalized early.
Dr. Avinash from Veterinary Department elaborated the schemes of the department including National Livestock Mission and new plan schemes of the Department for the benefit of small poultry farmers. Mr. Abdul Salam Assistant Director (Fisheries) highlighted in detail about beneficiary oriented activities under PMMSY and other Departmental Schemes.
Mr. Piyush Singh Director (Fisheries), Chief Guest also urged the participants to take full advantage of various self-employment schemes of the fisheries Department. He also advised Shri to visit Aquaculture prawn farming of Mr. Muthaya at Mannarghat where he is earning huge income. He further added that the fisheries sector alone can resolve unemployment problems if available facilities in the Department are available by the entrepreneurs. He assured his departmental support for promotion of fisheries activities in the Islands and they may also contact him or his departmental officials if they face any fisheries related problems.
Mrs. Suba Laxmi official from KVIB elaborated in details about various self employment schemes of the Department i.e. PMEGP including various additional assistance available now to the beneficiaries under Govt. of India’s recent modification under PMEGP. She also said in case of any difficulty they may contact DIC (03192-232601)
The Directorate of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and KVIB also distributed reading materials about their respective departmental schemes to the participants which participants highly appreciated.
During the interaction session, following issues emerged:
• There is good scope for poultry farming and it can be adopted by women’s groups as viable economic activity if availability of poultry feeds is ensured.
• Inland fishing by SHG/ unemployed youths, the ponds and other water bodies are allowed to use them.
• Marketing support of Self Help Groups/ Joint Liability Groups for displaying their products in Sagarika Emporium of Directorate of Industry at concessional rate.
• Operation of Andaman Fishing Limited to exploit marine resources and to provide employment opportunities to unemployed youths.
• Problems being faced by fishermen for issue/ renewal of license.
• Assistance to marginal livestock farmers.
Vote of thanks was given by Mrs. Laxmi Singh Up-Pradhan.
