The scheme will offer financial assistance to mussel and oyster farming in Goa in two ways.
Firstly, as much as 50 per cent subsidy of the actual cost limited to 25,000 per unit will be given to farmers who want to set up a unit in estuarine waters. Each unit will be 4x4 metres in size and maximum assistance will be provided for two units, reports TimesOfIndia.
Secondly, for setting up a unit in the open sea, a 50 per cent subsidy of the actual cost limited to 40,000 per unit will be given. The maximum financial assistance will be provided for two units. Each unit in the open sea will be of the size 6X6 metres.
For setting up crab farming units in Goa, farmers will be eligible for 25 per cent of the actual cost limited to 1,50,000 per hectare. The farmer can avail of the scheme for up to two hectares. Financial assistance will also be provided for purchase of seed and feed, where 50 per cent of the actual cost limited to 75,000 per hectare will be provided and the financial assistance will be limited to two-hectare area.
The department will also train farmers in mangrove crab farming, mussel culture and oyster farming.
"Through these schemes, we intend to propagate fish-farming in the state and help fish farmers and entrepreneurs in Goa," said fisheries director Shamila Monteiro. According to department officials, increasing the productivity of crabs and mussels is the need of the hour.
"Mussels and crabs are depleting in the state. The few that are available are very small in size. There is a lot of demand for these species in the market but less availability is leading to an overpriced product," said superintendent of fisheries Smita Mazumdar.
