Local farmer successfully breeds indigenous catfish
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 15 2012:
N Lakshman of Kodompokpi Mamang Leikai has achieved the distinction of being the first private farmer in the State to successful spawn the indigenous catfish (Ngakra) species at his farm.
One of the state's 'quality fish breeders' through application of the artificial insemination method, Lakshman has reportedly bred and supplied 30,000 catfish fingerlings to different farmers so far this year and is targeting a total production of 1 lakh fingerlings by the end of the year.
Lakshman told The Sangai Express today that breeding of the catfish is being carried out at the specially maintained Magur Hatchery Unit pond developed with feedback from experts of Bhubaneswar-based Central Institute for Fresh Water Aquaculture (CIFA) .
|
Informing that his first attempt to spawn catfish under controlled environment in 2006 without expert assistance was a failed endeavour, the fish farmer said second effort in 2009 with expert consultation initially paid off as nearly 4 lakh fingerlings could be spawned.
However, all these fingerlings perished due to inexperience in feeding and composition of the feeds, he conceded.
Undeterred by the setbacks, Lakshman said he approached experts of both the State's fishery Department and CIFA with the joint effort finally paying rich dividends this time around.
Conferred with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Department of Fisheries last year in recognition of his untiring endeavour to preserve the highly endangered but most favoured delicacies for the valley people, Lakshman said for retail sale a catfish fingerling at his farm is priced at Rs 7 while for wholesale it would be Rs 5 .
Welcoming all concerned who wish to spawn the indigenous catfish species at his farm, Lakshman also said that male-female catfish provider may collect the fingerlings when the breeding process is completed.
Apart from being a delicious palate item in most of the Meitei households, many rituals associated with the majority community involves Ngakra.