Bhubaneswar, 25 March (H.S.): The Hirakud Reservoir has recorded a total fish production of 87,401.49 metric tonnes (MT) over the past five years, Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Minister Gokulananda Mallick informed the Odisha Legislative Assembly on Wednesday.

Responding in writing to a query by Sagar Charan Das, the minister said that fish production from the reservoir between 2021–22 and 2025–26 was distributed across three districts—Bargarh with 11,495.5 MT, Jharsuguda with 12,648.99 MT, and Sambalpur with 63,257 MT.

Highlighting government initiatives to support fishermen, Mallick said that three Fishermen Cooperative Societies in Sambalpur district, which depend on the Hirakud reservoir, have received various forms of assistance. Each society was provided a revolving fund of ₹2 lakh under the Mukhyamantri Matsyajibi Kalyan Yojana (MMKY). Additionally, they were supplied with 41 boats and fishing nets, along with five motorcycles fitted with ice boxes under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) to facilitate fish transportation.

In Jharsuguda district, eight Primary Fishermen Cooperative Societies (PFCS) benefited from similar schemes, with each society receiving ₹2 lakh to strengthen fisheries activities and support local livelihoods. Among individual beneficiaries, one person received an auto-rickshaw with an ice box, ten received motorcycles with ice boxes, and 40 fishermen were supported with replacement of wooden boats and fishing nets.

Further, under the Popularisation of Fisheries Machinery and Equipment scheme, 250 beneficiaries were provided with fishing nets to enhance productivity and sustain their livelihoods.

The minister stated that these initiatives form part of the government’s continued efforts to boost fish production in the Hirakud reservoir while improving the economic conditions of fishermen dependent on it.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda