Fish production in Manipur goes up to 30,500 metric ton
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Nomita Khongbantabam

Imphal, May 23 2015 : Manipur Fisheries Department has set a target to produce 32,500 metric tons of fish per annum during the period between 2012 and 2017 .

As of now, the department has been successful in raising the annual fish production to 30,500 MT, an official of the department told Hueiyen Lanpao on Saturday.

On the basis of the national level of production, Manipur has got a production potential of about 53, 000 tons of fish per annum if harnessed the untapped fisheries resources through judicious exploitation and application of modern scientific fish culture techniques.

The annual requirement of fish for the people of Manipur is around 40,000 MT for internal consumption whereas the present production is around 30,000 MT only, which has left a gap of 9,500 MT between demand and supply.

The shortfall is partially met by bringing in fish from other States of India such as Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal and Assam by private businessmen.

At present, dry fish/smoked fish has also been imported from the neighbouring States and Myanmar.

The target for fish seed production is being fixed at 220 million, but it has succeeded in producing 212 fish seeds.

Fish resources in the State are found in about 56,461.15 ha covering rivers, tanks, ponds, reservoirs and low lying paddy fields.

The department has focused on augmenting the fish production rate on scientific lines.

In order to increase fish production in the State, proper and judicious utilization of all aquatic resources deserves proper attention, the Fisheries Department further informed.

"This will help in enhancing fish production and uplift the socio-economic conditions of the poor fishermen by generating self-employment opportunities and fight malnutrition problem in the State at large" .

Fish is the most important item and easily digestible protein food of Manipuris.

It is the only source of animal protein acceptable to almost all the people of the state.

To make self sufficiency in table fish production in the State, the Manipur Fisheries Department implements various plan, schemes and programmes including centrally sponsored schemes for improvement fisheries infrastructural facilities, development of inland fisheries and aquaculture for augmenting production of fish from natural resources as well as from private fish farms.

Comment