100 aquarium fish growers to receive Rs. 50,000 grant each

Several measures are being implemented by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board to convert the Polonnaruwa District as the hub of Aquatic fish export in Sri Lanka.

After undertaking a preliminary survey of the Aquarium fish growers in the district covering areas of Medirigiriya, Hingurakgoda, Thamankaduwa, Dimbulagala, Elahara and Welikanda the Polonnaruwa Aquarium Fish Growers Association was set up with the active involvement of the District Secretary and the National Aquatic Development Authority. Arrangements are being made to conduct an Aquarium fish exhibition in Polonnaruwa in the near future.

With the assistance of the National Chamber of Commerce a grant of Rs. 50,000 each will be distributed among fifty Aquarium fish farmers in the district out of the 100 suitable fish farmers selected by the EDB and NAQDA. The grant is provided to farmers to facilitate them to purchase production equipment. The remaining fifty Aquarium fish farmers will receive the grant by February 2009.

At present Aquatic fish farmers in the Polonnaruwa District supply their produce to the local market. It is expected to introduce new fish varieties that are in demand in the Export market to the growers in the district.

Negotiations are under way with the NAQDA and the National Aquatic Resources agency to train the growers in modern methods of Aquarium fish farming.

The awarding of grants for the fifty selected Aquatic fish farmers were held at a ceremony in Polonnaruwa under the patronage of Minister of Export Development and International Trade Prof. G.L Peiris.