Call to increase fish productivity issued
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 10 2016:
Directorate of Fisheries celebrated the 16th Fish Farmers' Day at its Lamphelpat complex today.
Fisheries and Agriculture Minister Md Abdul Nasir and Secretary (Agriculture and Fisheries) Th Gopen graced the function as chief guest and president respectively.
Abdul Nasir while speaking at the function said that Directorate of Fisheries has been putting in efforts to achieve advancement in fish farming.
Stating that the State Government would give thrust to providing the benefits of Central Government sponsored schemes to fish farmers, the Minister urged the fish farmers to inform him if they have any complaint or face any inconvenience.
In his speech, Th Gopen said that India began to celebrate Fish Farmers' Day from 2001 in commemoration of the success in mass production of fingerlings through artificial insemination in 1957.He said that 65 per cent of the total fish production of the country comes from inland sector while marine sector accounts for only 35 per cent.
Gopen said that India is the third largest fish producing country in the world from inland and marine sectors.
Stating that the annual fish requirement of Manipur is 42,000 MT, Gopen said that the State can however produce only 30,000 MT annually.
As such, 12,000 MT of fish is imported from other States every year, he said.
The objective of the Government is to make the State self sufficient in fish production as Manipuri people require fish in all the social and family celebrations, he said.
Fisheries Department Director David K Shimray said that there are many suitable places in Thoubal and Bishnupur districts where people can run fish farms successfully.
Fisheries Department Additional Director E Sulochana was also present at the function.
Prizes for the Fish Fair cum Fish Crop competition 2015 were also distributed at the function.