Fish Farmers' day
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 10 2011:
The 11th Fish Farmers Day was celebrated at the Lamphelpat office complex of Directorate of fisheries with Fisheries Minister Md alauddin Khan and Secretary (Fishery) RK Sukumar Singh as the chief guest and functional president respectively.
As part of the event, cash prizes and certificates were also handed over to fish farmers who were adjudged position winners of the annual Fish fair cum Fish Crop Competition held in connection with the Ningol Chakkouba festival last year.
Pangambam Jiten of DFO/Imphal East, who produced 9435 kgs fish at the said fair, bagged the first prize carrying an amount of Rs 50,000 with the second prize of Rs 30,000 presented to Salam Dhaballo of CEO/FFDA, Bishnupur that produced a total of 6034 kgs.
The third prize of Rs 20,000 was presented to Soibam Surchandra of DFO/Imphal West for producing a total of 3444 kgs.
In addition to presentation of Rs 5000 each as consolation prize to 28 other participants of the Fair, a special award of Rs 10,000 was handed over to Kh Tiken of CEO/FFDA Bishnupur for producing highest yield of indigenous fish varieties.
District fishery Officers of Bishnupur and churachandpur were also honoured for their initiative in producing high yield of fish in valley and hill categories with the presentation of Rs 10,000 each.
Speaking as the chief guest, Alauddin Khan assured that the Department will take all possible measures to provide fingerlings as per demand of the fish farmers.
Noting that consumption of fish is very high in Manipur, he conveyed that pisiculture has tremendous potential for growth and commercial value.
The Minister also exhorted the fish farmers to strive for producing more yield in the coming fish fair cum fish crop competition.
In his presidential address, RK Sukumar said taking into account vast water bodies many individual can comfortably sustain livelihood by adopting fish farming as a profession.
A documentary film highlighting income earning avenues through fish farming was also screened at the occasion.