Patna: Dairy, fisheries and animal resource department has proposed the formation of panchayat-level fisheries cooperative societies across 8,053 panchayats in the state. The department aims to establish these societies in a phased manner, with the first phase targeting more than 1,000 panchayats after receiving approval from the state cabinet.The cooperative societies will be registered through the cooperative department. Separate bylaws will be framed to regulate their functioning. At present, fisheries cooperatives operate only at the block level but the proposed expansion to the panchayat level is expected to provide direct benefits to fish farmers.Secretary of dairy, fisheries and animal resource department Shirsat Kapil Ashok said, “Bihar currently has no state-level union or federation representing Panchayat Fisheries Cooperative Societies. The govt is therefore planning to create such a federation to provide common platform for these societies and to organise fish marketing more effectively. The proposal has been sent to the cooperative department of a NOC, and further formalities will begin once the approval is granted.”The new cooperative structure is expected to improve access to low-interest loans, quality fish seed, affordable fish feed, and govt welfare schemes. It will also enable Bihar to access financial assistance from the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), which has remained underutilised due to the absence of panchayat-level cooperatives.Under the proposed system, all fish farmers within a panchayat will become members of the cooperative. The societies will procure fish directly from farmers, facilitate marketing, supply fish feed on the lines of the dairy cooperative Comfed, and may also establish feed manufacturing units and cold chain infrastructure. Departmental sources pointed that the initiative will significantly enhance fish production, increase farmer’s income, and ensure a steady supply of fresh fish to consumers at affordable prices.