State needs average fish production of 3,000 kg/ha to be self sufficient: Expert
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 15 2019:
A three day training programme on skill development and capacity building in fisheries sector for fish farmers, entrepreneurs from Imphal West district started yesterday at the Training hall of Directorate of Fisheries, Lamphel.
The programme on the topic "Advance Fish Culture Practices for enhancing fish production" organised by Department of Fisheries, Manipur under the sponsorship of National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), Hyderabad was attended by Bidyarani Ayekpam, Director Fisheries, Manipur as chief guest and Dr RK Saha, Director (Extension) CAU, Lamphel and Dr Ch Basudha Devi, Senior Scientist (Fishery), ICAR for NEH Region, Lamphel as guests of honour respectively.
Speaking at the event, Dr RK Saha said that even though the potential is very high, the State is yet to meet the per capita consumption requirement.
The Directorate of Extension Education, Central Agricultural University (CAU), lamphel has received fund from the NFDB for setting up Aquatic Animal Health Laboratory, which will help the State farmers to identify fish disease, test soil and water quality etc, he said.
He appreciated the Director of Fisheries for installing a fish feed mill in Imphal, which he said will help increase fish production.
Senior Scientist, Dr Ch Basudha said that skill development and training programme for the farmers are very important for exchange of scientific technology.
The average fish production of State is less than 1,000 kg/ha whereas in Andhra Pradesh it is more than 7,000 kg/ha, she said.
The State needs to produce an average of 3,000 kg/ha to be self sufficient, she added.
Director of Fisheries, Bidyarani Ayekpam said that the State has high fish production potential.
The department is giving due importance to augment the gap between production and requirement of the State.
Even if the State Government and Centre give financial assistance in the form of subsidy or grants to the fish farmers, it will not be materialized unless the farmers take the initiative to utilize the resources, she said and encouraged the farmers to culture high priced and high yielding species of fishes to generate more income.
Fishery specialists from ICAR, KVKs and experts from other institutes attended the programme.
55 fish farmers from Imphal West district are attending the training programme.