State observes National Fish Farmers' Day
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, July 10 2022: The State observed the 22nd National Fish Farmers' Day at the auditorium of Department of Fishery, Lamphelpat today with Fishery Minister H Dingo, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution (CAF&PD) Minister L Susindro Meitei and Veterinary & Animal Husbandry Minister Khasim Vashum, among others.

Speaking on the occasion, Fishery Minister H Dingo said that even though the Fishery Department is small, the department has been playing a big role to provide one of the staple diets sufficiently in the State.

The department has at least achieved the target of producing 32,000 MT of fish for consumption in the State, he added.

Stressing on the need for application of advanced technology in pisciculture, Dingo said that coordination among staff, experts and fish farmers is necessary for greater fish production.

State observes National Fish Farmers' Day

Acknowledging the grievances of the department and the fish farmers, the Minister said that fish production should not be hindered by such problems.

He said that the Government will look into the matter and sought cooperation of all officials concerned and the fish farmers towards making the State self-sufficient in fish production.

CAF and PD Minister L Susindro addressing the day said, "The State can be self-sufficient in fish production if we invest more time ad energy in modern, scientific techniques of pisciculture" .

Stating that the Government has been taking up steps to make the State self-sufficient, Susindro urged fishermen to catch fish for livelihood only rather than indulging in over fishing.

He said that the Government has been taking up certain initiatives to promote captive breeding of fish through the State Livelihood Mission in marshy lands around the Loktak Lake area.

In the coming years, the State will be able to produce fish sufficiently for consumption in the State.

Cooperation is needed from every sector, specially the fish farmers to bring development in this area, he added.

He urged officials of Fishery Department to verify the authenticity of farmers and provide assistance to committed fish farmers only.

Veterinary & Animal Husbandry Minister Khasim Vashum said that imported fishes should be replaced by the State's own production.

"We should work together to make our State self-reliant and urged the farmers to put more efforts in producing high quantity of fishes.

Eligible farmers should be provided assistance regardless of hill or valley as fish is the common staple food for the people of the State", he said.

H Balkrisna Singh, Director of Fishery, said that the event is celebrated to commemorate Professor Dr Hiralal Chaudhury and his colleague Dr Alikunhi for their contribution in achieving induced breeding of major carps on 10th July, 1957 at Angul in Odisha for the first time in the country.

This pioneering work of induced breeding over the years has transformed the growth of aquaculture sector from traditional to intensive aquaculture practices and led to success of modern aquaculture industry.

The Director added that the fishery plays a big role in the economic sector and the day has been observed to mark the contribution of fish farmers of the State.

He said that the annual requirement of fish for consumption is about 52,000 metric tonnes but only about 32,000 metric tonnes are being produced by fish farmers in the State.

The remaining fish for consumption are imported from other States and an amount of Rs 300 crore is spent annually in importing fish.

To reduce import of fishes, the Fishery Department has been trying to meet the demand and supply of fishes in the State but production has not grown to the desired level due to lack of spawns, he said.

He added that the Meitei Sareng project taken up under the guidance of the present Government has been a success and it would definitely meet the demand of the people.

The dignitaries also released the July edition of Manipur Today, a monthly journal published by Directorate of Information and Public Relations.

The edition mainly focuses on the activities and achievements of the Fisheries Department.

Awards were also distributed to the winners of the Annual Fish Fair cum Fish Crop Competition, 2021 organized by the Department of Fisheries on November 5, 2021 at Mapal Kangjeibung, Imphal.

Cash Prizes and citations were handed over to three highest producers in individual category, one highest indigenous fish producer, 20 consolation prizes and to two district officers with highest fish production (hill/valley) .

Dr Basuda Chanamthabam, Senior Scientist, ICAR-NEH Region talked on the importance of National Fish Farmers' Day.

Selected fish farmers also shared their needs and experiences on fish farming during the programme.

H Robita, Secretary, Fishery; Neeta Arambam, Addl.

Secretary, Fishery; Saibal Chatterjee, AGM, DAYA Group of Industries; district officials and staff of Fishery Department, fish farmers and invitees attended the event.