Haryana shrimp farmers to get up to ₹9 lakh solar subsidy, says Minister Shyam Singh Rana

Chandigarh. Haryana has tripled the size of solar power systems it will subsidise for shrimp farmers, raising the limit from 10 kilowatts (kW) to 30 kW. Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Shyam Singh Rana announced the change on Tuesday and said the state will pay 60 per cent of the cost.

Under the state’s Intensive Fisheries Development Programme, the cost of a solar system for white shrimp farming has been fixed at ₹50,000 per kW. A full 30 kW system comes to ₹15 lakh, the highest project cost allowed. At 60 per cent of that, a farmer can get up to ₹9 lakh.

Why has the solar limit been raised?

Rana said the decision was taken because shrimp farmers pay heavy electricity and generator bills. A bigger solar system, he said, will cut their dependence on regular power supply and diesel generators. That should bring down production costs, raise net earnings and make shrimp farming a more viable way to make a living.

The minister singled out areas where salty soil and water hold back regular farming. “White shrimp farming is emerging as a promising source of income for farmers, particularly in saline-affected regions. By reducing input costs and providing access to modern technology, we aim to help farmers realise better returns from their resources,” Rana said.

What will the new aqua parks in Sirsa and Bhiwani offer?

Integrated Aqua Parks are being built in Sirsa and Bhiwani districts and will work as Centres of Excellence, Rana said. At these centres, farmers and fish growers will get hands-on training in modern fish and shrimp farming, better-quality seed and scientific advice, all in one place.

Civil construction of the Bhiwani centre has already started, and it should be fully running by June 2028. In Sirsa, work to set up an aqua park at Poharka village has formally begun under the Centre’s Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).

Rana said the parks will help farmers adopt modern technology in fish farming and switch to more productive methods.

Why is Haryana promoting shrimp farming?

Wheat and paddy will continue to play an important role, Rana said, but the government wants farmers to take up high-value allied work such as fisheries and shrimp farming to add to their income.

He said strengthening the rural economy and creating self-employment for young people in agriculture and allied sectors remain top priorities for the state government. He added that the higher solar subsidy, new aqua parks and scientific support together would help farmers earn from more than one source and grow Haryana’s fisheries sector in a sustainable way.