Bihar launches drone technology program to improve fisheries sector

Patna (Bihar) [India], October 20 (ANI): The Bihar government inaugurated a new programme incorporating drone technology in its fisheries sector on Saturday.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sinha, Union Minister for Fisheries and Animal Husbandry Rajiv Ranjan Singh (alias Lalan Singh), and Bihar's Fisheries and Animal Husbandry Minister Renu Devi were present at the event.
CM Nitish Kumar expressed gratitude to the central government and emphasised the importance of drone technology in improving fish farming. He said, "Before 2005, the situation was dire, and no work had been done. When we came to power, we initiated all the schemes and ended the Hindu-Muslim discord."
The CM also highlighted the progress since 2008, when the first agricultural roadmap was created. "With proper studies, Bihar's name was not only recognised within the country but also abroad. With improvements, the production of eggs and fish has increased."

He explained that there have been three agricultural roadmaps, with the fourth one commencing in 2024. He emphasised that fish production has increased from 2 lakh metric tonnes in 2005 to over 8 lakh metric tonnes now. "Earlier, we had to import fish, but now Bihar exports fish to other states," he added.
CM Kumar also thanked the central government for providing Rs80 crore in assistance since 2022. He noted that cooperation between the state and central governments has improved, leading to more progress in the state. "In the past, no proper work was done," he added. He expressed appreciation for Lalan Singh for organising the programme in Bihar and reaffirmed his commitment to collaboration: "Now, I won't go anywhere; I have an old relationship with them, and it will continue."
Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh also spoke about the significant involvement of the people of Bihar in fish farming.
"Nearly 60 lakh people are involved in fish farming in Bihar. Before 2005, during the tenure of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, the work was only superficial, but after 2005, real work started," he said. He shared that the fisheries department's budget was only Rs2.87 crore before 2005, but by 2022, it had increased to Rs524 crore.
Singh noted that the Chief Minister had sent farmers to different states for training, and agricultural productivity had increased four-fold. "The central and state governments will work together in the state's interest," he added. (ANI)