Holistic aquaculture policy must to meet supply demand
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: January 05, 2023 -

IN view of the increasing number of fish consumers subsequent to the public according utmost importance to healthy living and realising health and nutritional value of fresh fish, it is obvious that Manipur would be facing an uphill task in meeting the rising demand if the trend of filling up of water bodies for structural construction continues.

With notable section of the adult population abandoning red meat-based diet and substantial number of people reluctant to consume imported or farmed chickens due to suspicion over excessive usage of growth hormones, the day is not far off when the demand for fresh fish would spiral.

On its part, governmental institutions have been extending financial and technical support to the fish farmers and vigorously promoting aquaculture through introduction of modern techniques of fish rearing and breeding fingerlings including cage farming.

Through the annual conduct of fish fair in connection with the grand Ningol Chakkouba festival to the first-ever Imoinu fish festival on Tuesday, the government has been encouraging the state's fish farmers to increase the seasonal yield and achieve the goal of self-sufficiency in fish production.

However, all these efforts would fall far short of the ultimate objective to check draining from the state's exchequer in importing fish to meet the supply deficit.

As stated by minister Heikham Dingo Singh during the inauguration of the First Imoinu Fish Festival held at Hapta Kangjeibung, the fisheries department has been doing its bit to increase fish production through conduct of fairs and providing financial assistance to individuals willing to venture into fish farming.

By bringing in Sareng fingerlings from other states for rearing in the state in view of its huge demand related to Ningol Chakkouba and Imoinu festivals, the government has been fairly successful in ensuring adequate availability of the highly favoured fish species.

Nevertheless, more customers thronging the markets to purchase Sareng as well as other species of fish for both Chakkouba and Imoinu festivals underscore that the price factor had been a major deterrent to the potential buyers.

If the department can ensure that the rate at fish fairs is lesser than the market price then only would the public be impressed with the government's claim of fruition of its different projects.

As aquaculture requires optimisation of nutrition to efficiently raise fish for the purpose of food production, it is imperative for the government to ensure availability of locally-manufactured fish feeds as fish nutrition is essential for fish health, growth and reproduction.

With consumption of fish increasing compared to the quantity of reared fish declining, it could be safely predicted that aquaculture will provide the most sought-after food in the coming years.

Thus, it suggested that along with continuation of the schemes of aiding the fish farmers the government should prioritise sufficient production offish feeds, preservation of the existing aquaculture farms and explore launch of extensive fish rearing projects in dammed up waters.

The fish projects should also be expanded beyond the valley districts for there are more than a handful of massive water bodies in the hill areas where aquaculture could be promoted.