Demand for fresh 'Sareng' exceeds supply
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, October 29 2022:
Even though fresh 'Sareng' fish were sold at Rs 1200 per kg during the Fish Mela organised by the Fishery Department at Hapta Kangjeibung in connection with 'Ningol Chakkouba' festival on Thursday, the demand far exceeded the supply of the fish species.
Meetei 'Sareng' once abundantly found in the rivers of the state have become extinct in Manipur for many decades now.
But the Fishery Department under the guidance of chief minister N Biren started a project to make the fish accessible to the people of the state once again by importing 'Sareng' fingerlings from Myanmar and Bangladesh and distributing them to select fish farmers of the state for breeding and production.
The project was aimed at producing about 5000 kg of fresh 'Sareng' during this year's Fish Mela.
Though the target could not be reached, the fish farmers of the state could still produce about 3000 kg of fresh 'Sareng' at the said Mela.
The 'Sareng' were sold at Rs 1200 per kg compared to Rs 380-400 per kg rate of iced 'Sareng' fish imported into the state from other places.
Speaking to TPC, one of the successful fish farmers, L Dinamani of Tentha informed that his aim was to produce at least 1800 to 2000 kg of 'Sareng' for the Fish Mela held for the 'Ningol Chakkouba' festival and expressed elation that he was able to bring around 2300 kg of 'Sareng' at the Mela.
Though it was a grand success for him as he sold all his Sareng, he did have some regret as he could not fulfil the demand of the public, he added.
Talking to the TPC, one of the customers, Chongtham Ingobi of Singjamei agreed that it is very fortunate that fresh 'Sareng' has been made available to the people of the state, but opined that the price of Rs 1200 per kg is exorbitant.
Even though the price is high, public are still buying them as it is fresh and 'Ningol Chakkouba' being one of the biggest festivals of the state.
He himself bought the fish without thinking about the price tag as it is once in a year occasion, Ingobi said, while adding that it will be better if the prices come down in future with increase in production of the fish in the state.
It can be said that the availability of fresh 'Sareng' in the state is a successful achievement of the government as well as the fish farmers of the state.
But it needs to be seen whether the demand for fresh 'Sareng' can be sustained in future considering the difference of price compared to the imported iced 'Sareng' available in the state.