3-day training on fish farming starts at CAU Imphal
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 21 2019: A 3-day training on "Pond Fertilization and Management of IMC & Catfish Culture" has started at the conference hall of College of Agriculture, CAU Iroisemba, Imphal today.

Speaking at the event as chief guest, CAU Imphal Vice Chancellor Professor M Premjit said that the average per capita consumption of fish in the country is 12 kg per person, per year.

In States like Manipur and Tripura, the average per capita consumption is almost double.

Manipur, for now, is not able to produce sufficient fishes for own consumption.

The State depends on other States like Andhra Pradesh for its fish demand, he said.

With reports of use of preservatives such as formaldehyde in the imported fishes, he said that it is best for the State to develop and grow its own fisheries sector and increase produces to meet own demand.

Farmers should learn the various scientific and innovative techniques and ways of fish farming.

They should have sound knowledge of pond fertilization, pond management to increase their production, he said adding that the training programme will prove to be invaluable for the farmers.

Soil health and pond health should be tested and water quality should be maintained to keep the fishes healthy and increase production.

'Releasing the fries into the pond is not enough,' he said emphasising that farmers should learn from experts and employ scientific technologies to grow their farms and generate huge healthy income.

As Manipur is 90 percent hilly areas and 10 percent valley, fish culture must be established and developed in hilly areas also to meet the State's fish demand, he said.

Loktak Lake, which is the largest freshwater lake in the North-East should be utilised to increase fish production, he added.

The inaugural session of the training programme organised by ICAR- Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, Bhubaneswar, Odisha in association with CAU Imphal, ICAR-Research Complex for NEH Region, Manipur Centre and Department of Fisheries was also attended by Director Extension Education, CAU Imphal Professor Ratan Kumar Saha, Dean COA, CAU Imphal Professor Indira Sarangthem and Chairman, Fisheries Development of NEH Region from CIFA ICAR-CIFA, Bhubaneswar, Dr PP Chakrabarti as presidium members.

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