Ornamental fish and fingerling breeding are being promoted in the Anuradhapura District, Renewable Energy Resources Development State Minister Duminda Dissanayake said.
The State Minister recently visited a number of ornamental fish farms in Eppawala, Endagala and Koonwewa. Fish breeders informed the State Minister that they undergo numerous difficulties mainly due to unbearable electricity bills. They said that a high volume of power is needed for operating blowers, filtering machines, waste water recycling systems and for lighting.
The State Minister said that ornamental fish and fish fingerling breeding are being promoted commercially and stakeholders’ issues will be settled soon.
He said that solar systems will be introduced to reduce the electricity bills. “The Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority will provide solar panels for fish breeders at low rates. Those who are already in the industry and youth who need to enter the field will be provided with training, equipment, barren paddy fields and marketing facilities,” the State Minister said.
He said that the Fisheries Ministry will support for breeding ornamental fish. Over 100 youth will be taken for training in ornamental fish breeding and fingerling farming.
Anuradhapura NAQDA District Extension Officer Sisitha Kumara said that around 250 ornamental fish breeders function in the Anuradhapura District now. The district boasts about 50,000 square meters of ponds. He said that solar systems will be fixed to those ponds.