Hyderabad, July 10 (IANS) Telangana’s Minister for Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries, Vakiti Srihari, on Friday laid the foundation for a freshwater fish export centre at Koheda in Rangareddy district and said the facility will increase fishermen’s income, providing them with permanent employment, and creating opportunities for international markets.

He said that it is a matter of pride for Telangana that, for the first time in the country, such a modern export centre is being established in an inland state, not in the coastal region.

Under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, with 60 per cent funding from the central government and 40 per cent from the state government, this centre is being constructed at a cost of approximately Rs 47 crore.

This centre will be equipped with all modern facilities such as modern cold storage units, purification units, packaging centres, training centre, customs facilities, and a large wholesale market.

With this export centre, domestic and international markets will be available for the fish produced in the state, and fishermen will receive better prices. Telangana fish will gain special recognition worldwide, he said.

Around 2,000 traders will have the opportunity to conduct business here, while approximately 5,000 people will get direct and indirect employment opportunities in sectors like loading, unloading, packaging, transportation, and others.

This project will not only serve as a fish market but also stand as a platform for development that connects Telangana’s fisheries sector with the world market. Along with strengthening the rural economy, it will create new employment opportunities for the youth.

The minister stated that Telangana is currently continuing to hold the top position in the country in freshwater fish production. In 2025, the state recorded production of approximately 4.20 lakh tonnes of fish and 15,000 tonnes of freshwater prawns.

He expressed his gratitude to the central government, state government, people’s representatives, officials, and fishermen’s associations who cooperated on this prestigious project. “Our goal is to provide a world market for every fish produced in Telangana. Filling the families of fishermen with economic prosperity is the resolve of our government,” he said.

Bhuvanagiri MP Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy, MLA Malreddy Rangareddy, Fisheries Director Nikhil, Fruit Market Chairman Chiluk Madhu, Rangareddy Fisheries Cooperative Society President Dusa Venkatesh and others were present.

–IANS

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