'Blue Revolution: Need of the hour to meet fish demands of people'
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 31 2020:
Blue revolution is the need of the hour in Manipur to meet the demands of fish production, said Vice Chancellor, CAU Imphal Professor M Premjit.
He was speaking at the inaugural function of a month long certificate course on 'Scientific Fish Farming', organised by the Directorate of Extension Education, Central Agricultural University, Manipur at CAU Lamphelpat today.
Professor M Premjit continued that as per the Government's data, Manipur is able to produce 32,000 metric ton of fish at present while the required quantity is 52,000 MT.
Manipur is a place where fish is a necessity and a requirement, he said while adding that an individual of the State, on an average, consumes 23/24 kg of fish in a year when people in other States eat 9/10 kg of fish.
As such, to fulfil the demands of the people and to produce sufficient fish in the State, Blue Revolution is the most essential measure required in Manipur.
The vision of doubling farmers' income by 2020 is not likely possible by harvesting rice and dal only but can be achieved through integrated farming system, noted the Professor.
Apart from cultivation of rice, other modes of farming like rearing of fish and animals have become rather necessary to reach the set target.
He further maintained that the method of rearing fish in Manipur is quite old-fashioned and does not follow scientific method apart from giving minimum fish feeds while rearing.
The Professor opined that fish can be reared along with Kouna plants, which has posibility of earning income and profit too.
With the change in time, new and advanced technology like the Biofloc technology can ensure rearing of fish without creating a separate pond.
As such, several options are now available to meet the fish demands of the public, he added.
Director, Extension Education CAU Imphal, Professor Ratan Kumar Saha, General Manager, NABARD, Regional office Manipur Dr Satyasai Kovvali and Deputy Director (Instruction) CAU Imphal Y Bedajit and Deputy Director (Extension) CAU Imphal Dr Dipak Nath were also present as dignitaries at the function.