Fish fair cum fish crop competition held in Imphal
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, November 12 2015: Like previous years, Fishery Department of Government of Manipur held a Fish Fair cum Fish Crop Competition 2015 on Thursday at Inter State Bus Terminus Campus, Khuman Lampak.

Around 96 stalls were opened during the competition.

However, indigenous fish species such as Ngakra, Khajing and Ngamu were not displayed.

During the fair, a "Katala" which weighs below 3 kg were sold at Rs 230 while that of 3 kg and above were sold at Rs 300."Rou" that weighs below one kg were sold at Rs 200 while those weighing one kg and above were sold at Rs 250 .

Common Carp that weighed below one kg were sold at Rs 170 and those over one kg were sold at Rs 230 .

Fish fair cum fish crop competition held in Imphal

Moreover, the indigenous species like Ngaton, Pengba, Khabak were sold at Rs 650/650 per kg while Ukabi, Muka-nga and Paku (Pengba manbi) were sold at Rs 600, 400 and 300 respectively.

A "Big Head" which weighed around 10.5 kg was the largest and heaviest fish in the fair.

Attending the function as Chief Guest, Commerce and Industries Minister Govindas Konthoujam stated that Manipur is a State where people mostly prefer to eat fish.

The State needs around forty thousand metric tonnes of fish every month but Manipur produces only around 30,500 metric tonnes in a month.

The remaining 9500 metric tonnes of fish are imported from outside the State including Tamil Nadu and Assam.

He also pointed out that fishers in the State need to fulfill their responsibilities to increase fish production.

Agriculture Minister Md Nasir, who attended the function as President, said that Manipur does not need to worry about extinction of indigenous fishes as steps have been taken to ensure halting the same.

The minister said that under the RKYV of Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India, cage culture has been established in Loktak Lake to increase fish production.

Fishery Department has also given special attention to increase the rate of fish production.

There is a plan afoot to develop a permanent fish market in the vicinity of Imphal city, added Md Nasir.