Imphal, January 12: A two-day training programme on rearing Catfish has begun from today at the ICAR Research complex, Lamphelpat here.

Fisheries Minister N Mangi Singh inaugurated the training programme as chief guest in the presence of LDA Chairman N Loken Singh and Secretary (Fisheries) RK Nimai who attended the function as president and guest of honour respectively.

Speaking at the occasion, the Fisheries Minister said Catfish is an important fish for the Manipuii people who take it not only as a food item but also use it as an indispensable item in religious ceremonies.

In such a situation, every effort should be made for the proliferation of this particular variety of fish, he exhorted, while hailing ICAR for organising the training programme.

The Minister also noted that many indigenous variety of fishes found in Manipur are on the verge of extinction after commissioning of the Loktak Hydro Electric Praject.

To save the fishes from extinction, it is high time take up appropriate measures, the Minister said.

He further noted that although Manipuri people like to savour delicacies made from fishes, the quantity of fish required for consumption could not be meet without before imported from outside the State.

In view of this, effort should be made for increasing the production of fish.

This would also help in improving the financial condition of the State to a large extend, the Fisheries Minister, observed.

In his presidential address, LDA chairman N Loken also said that it is high time for taking up measures for proliferation of indigenous varieties of fishes.

Organising such training programmes would definitely help in this endeavour, he said.

Loken also drew to the attention of the Government for taking keen interest in development of the Pengba farm at Kuinbi, which has become defunct for quite sometime.

He also appealed to the pisciculturists to contribute their mite in improving the financial condition of the State through fish rearing.

Secretary (Fisheries) RK Nimai, Principal Scientist of FIPHA, Bubhaneshor Dr AK Sahu, Director (Fisheries) Biramani and Joint Director of ICAR Dr SV Ngachan Suwa were also among those who spoke at the occasion.

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