Berhampur, August 26: Ganjam district is depending on neighbouring Andhra Pradesh for freshwater fish despite visible growth in fish farming in Odisha over the last few years.
The Ganjam district is producing 74,123 MT freshwater fish per year while it consumes 77,000 MT. For the rest 3,000 MT, it is depending on Andhra Pradesh, according to reports.
The Purusottampur block is producing highest freshwater fish of 7,843 MT while Shergarh block produces only 1290 MT. Including the other 17 blocks, a total of 74,123 MT freshwater fish is produced in the district per year, informed district fisheries department.
Similarly, Polasara block produces 5,106 MT while 5,076 MT is produced from Sorada block and 4,392 MT from Jagannath Prasad block.
During 2021-22, the district had produced 70,236 MT freshwater fish and 71,805 MT in 2022-23, the production reached 74,123 MT in 2023-24. Despite marginal rise in production, the growing population and consumption is forcing the district to depend on Andhra Pradesh, said an official of the district fisheries department.
