Eyes set on 2022 to make State fish sufficient
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 08 2018: As done every year on the eve of Ningol Chakkouba, the "Fish Fair-cum-Fish Crop Competition, 2018" was held at DM College of Arts, Thangmeiband, Imphal with the Fishery Department setting 2022 as the year to make Manipur fish sufficient.

The grand fish exhibition was opened by Minister of Fishery N Kayisii along with Director of Fishery Department Bidyarani Ayekpam.

Approximately 90,000 kgs of fishes were put up for sale.

Fish farmers from different districts along with Fishery Department and Central Agriculture University opened stalls and participated in the fish fair cum fish crop competition.

Some of the common fishes put up for sale were Catla, Rohu, Mrigal, Common Carp, Grass Carp, Silver Carp, Pengba, Khabak and Ngaton etc.

Addressing the fish fair, N Kayisii said nature has blessed Manipur and added "We need to raise fish commercially and make Manipur fish sufficient." Officials of Fishery Department should put in their best efforts to provide modern methods to the fish farmers to increase production, said Kayisii and urged officials to share technical knowledge which can help in fish farming.

Such a move will help the economy, he said and added that apart from ensuring fish reliance, it will help the fish farmers economically besides providing employment opportunities to many.

The Minister further said that the fish requirement for consumption in the State is 52 metric ton but the State is able to produce only 32 metric ton.

Stating that the Government is planning to make Manipur fish sufficient, Kayisii said that Chief Minister N Biren Singh has held various meetings with officials of Fishery Department to ensure that Manipur is fish sufficient by 2022.President of the function Director of Fishery Department Bidyarani Ayekpam said, by 2022 the income of fish farmers will double as fish production will increase manifold and Manipur will be fish sufficient.

The Fishery Department is planning to give training to farmers, share problems and issues faced by farmers.

Under capacity building it aims to increase production by using high yielding quality variety fish seedlings and change traditional method of farming to modern methods.

The Fishery Department will reward Rs one lakh to the winner of "Fish Fair-Cum-Fish Crop Competition, 2018", Rs 75,000 to the second and Rs 50,000 to the third.

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