Fish production sees a quantum jump
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 04 2013:
Fisheries Department has set a target to sell more than 65,000 kg of fish in 80 stalls in this year's fish fair being held in connection with Ningol Chakkouba festival at Hapta Kangjeibung.
Last year, the fair witnessed a sale of 53,000 kg of fish.
Varieties of fish for this year's fair include Rohu, Katla, Mrigal, Common Carp, Grass Carp, Silver Carp, Ngaton, Pengba, Ngakra, Big Head, Puklaobi, Kuri, Ukabi and Tunghanbi etc.
Although, the total requirement of fish for the festival is 3 lakh kg, the fish produced at the fair and sold at different markets can easily cater to the need of fish for Imphal area.
Katla (below 3 kg) is being sold at Rs 200 per kg at the fair, Katla (3kg and above) at Rs 250, Rohu (below 1 kg) at Rs 200, Rohu (1kg and above) at Rs 250, Mrigal (below 1 kg) at Rs 200, Mrigal (1kg and above) at Rs 250, Common Carp (below 1 kg) at Rs 170, Common Carp (1kg and above) at Rs 230, Grass Carp (above 2kg) at Rs 180, Silver Carp (above 1 kg) at Rs 150, Ngaton at Rs 650, Pengba at Rs 650, Ngakra at Rs 1000, Big Head at Rs 450, Kori at Rs 200, Ukabi at Rs 800 and Tunghanbi at Rs 180 .
|
Fisheries Director K Sarad Kumar said that quite a large quantity of Penga and Ngaton are being sold at the fair.
As the demand for fish witnesses sharp rise during Ningol Chakkouba festival every year, the Department has been organising fish crop competition competition for fish farmers every year, he added.
Rs 60,000, Rs 40,000 and Rs 30,000 would be given to the first, second and third prize winners respectively, he said and added that there would be 25 consolation prizes as well.
Moreover, Rs 15,000 would be awarded to the fish farmer, who produces largest quantity of indigenous fishes like Pengba and Ngaton.
With more than 100 fish farmers have come forward to participate in the fair, this year is likely to witness more production of fish than past fairs, he said and added that the fair offers rate-cut of Rs 20 to Rs 50 comparing to the market.
Speaking at the inaugural function of the fair, Public Health and Engineering Minister I Hemochadra stressed on the need to enhance production of fish in the State.
Saying that the State needs around 35 MT of fish annually, he said that the State imports fish of around Rs 150 crore to Rs 200 crore every year from Andhra Pradesh.
He also emphasised on the need to give attention to production of indigenous fish as well.
Agriculture Minister Md Abdul Nasir while speaking at the occasion announced that the cash award for the largest production of indigenous fish would be increased to Rs 50000 from next year.
He also exhorted the youths of the State to adopt work culture to enhance economic development of the State.