'Prices of local fish inflated during Chakkouba'
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Imphal, October 28 2014:
Different local fishes this year were allowed to be put on sale at inflated prices during the Ningol Chakkouba fish fair by the Fisheries Department which led to the sharp decline in indigenous fish buyers, the All Loktak Lake Areas Fishermen's Union Manipur (ALLAFUM) has alleged on Tuesday.
ALLAFUM in a release further expressed concern over the lowest fish production rate of only 75 metric ton this year compared to higher production in the previous years.
It said Manipur requires nearly 48,000 metric tons of fish annually, and added that nearly 20,000 tons of local fish were produced in the State this year.
The union alleged that the Fisheries Department sold local fish at higher prices during the fish mela organised by the Department in connection with the just concluded Ningol Chakkouba festival and so many of the buyers preferred imported fish to indigenous fish.
It said Manipur has to purchase about 28,000 metric tons of fish from other States yearly affecting the economy and posing a threat to the food security of the people.
In order to improve food security of the State, the union urged the State Government to restore the State's riverine system and to develop natural fish production methods in lakes, rivers and ponds.
It also demanded the Government to effectively implement the hatchery pools and to distribute fingerlings to the professional fishermen with special attention to them so that they can boost fish production at different levels.