Bhubaneswar: The Hirakud reservoir has produced a total of 87,401.49 metric tonnes (MT) of fish over the last five years, Fisheries & Animal Resources Development Minister Gokulananda Mallick informed the state assembly on Wednesday.
In a written reply to a question by Bhawanipatna MLA Sagar Charan Das, Minister Mallick said fish production from the reservoir between 2021-22 and 2025-26 was distributed across districts as follows: Bargarh – 11,495.5 MT, Jharsuguda – 12,648.99 MT, and Sambalpur – 63,257 MT.
Highlighting government support for fishermen, the minister 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 Rs 2 lakh under the MMKY scheme. Additionally, they received 41 boats and nets, along with five motorcycles equipped with ice boxes under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) scheme to improve fish transportation.
In Jharsuguda district, eight Primary Fishermen Cooperative Societies (PFCS) benefited from similar schemes. Each PFCS received Rs 2 lakh to strengthen fisheries activities and support local livelihoods. Among individual beneficiaries, one received an auto-rickshaw with an ice box, ten received motorcycles with ice boxes, and 40 were assisted with replacement of wooden boats and fishing nets. Under the Popularisation of Fisheries Machinery and Equipment scheme, 250 beneficiaries were provided with fishing nets to improve productivity and sustain their livelihoods.
The minister said these initiatives are part of the government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen fish production in the Hirakud reservoir and support the livelihoods of fishermen dependent on it.
