May 26,
Mussel farming can tackle unemployment among youth. Cumbharjua MLA
Panaji: Urging people to take benefit of various government schemes in the fisheries industry, Cumbharjua MLA Rajesh Faldessai said that practices like mussel cultivation can help tackle unemployment among the youth.
He was speaking at an awareness programme on mussel farming organised by the directorate of fisheries at Akhada, St Estavao on Friday.
Those present were fisheries minister Nilkant Halarnkar, St Estavao sarpanch Smitha Sawant, deputy sarpanch Estavam Ribeiro, panch member Saira Narvekar, director of fisheries Shamila Monteiro, and other officers.
“There is a lot of response for mussel farming. This is our first programme in the village. Farmers can reap huge benefits from this practice. There are a lot of schemes and subsidies offered by the government. This can largely tackle unemployment among our youth. Our Akhada area is ideal for promoting fishing. There is a lot of money to be made in mussel farming. The last budget has given thrust to the fishing industry. People can take benefit from these schemes. You can even come to my office to seek information on various schemes. I am ready to offer any help,” Faldessai said.
Halarnkar said that the government is making efforts to promote aqua farming in the state.
“We need to create entrepreneurs. Our department imparts a lot of training programmes. Mussel farming has huge commercial results, and the success rate is encouraging. There is a lot of subsidy schemes, so the losses are less. Youth can take training in aqua farming. Let us strike towards being export-oriented,” he said.