200 stalls opened at Ningol Chakkouba fish fair
Total fish production pegged at 2 lakh Kg
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 10 2026: Around 200 stalls were opened at the 47th Annual Fish Fair-Cum-Fish Crop Competition 2026 held at Hapta Kangjeibung, Palace Compound here today, according to a statement issued by the Chief Minister's Secretariat.

Around 2 lakh kilograms of fish were produced at this year's fish fair.

Addressing the inaugural function of the fair, Chief Minister Yumnam Khem-chand recalled his tenure as Minister of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (RD&PR) and stated that increasing Sareng of Freshwater Shark (Wallago attu) production in the State was one of the important topics discussed during Cabinet meetings.

200 stalls opened at Ningol Chakkouba fish fair

Lauding the efforts of Heikham Dingo Singh, the then Fisheries Minister, he said that Dingo used to travel outside the State exploring Freshwater Shark (Sareng) fingerlings to be reared in the State and appreciated his efforts towards promoting Sareng farming in Manipur.

He maintained that initially, only seven fish farmers took the initiative to start Sareng farming in the State.

The Government announced a subsidy of Rs 3 to 4 lakh to encourage these farmers and support their efforts.

The subsidy will be provided to the farmers after the Ningol Chakkouba festival to support their efforts and dedicated work in promoting Sareng farming in the State, the Chief Minister stated.

Expressing happiness over the progress made in Sareng farming, he stated that the fish weighing around 5 to 6 kg are now available in the State, which is a moment of pride and happiness for everyone.

Khemchand also appreciated Salam Rohendro Singh, who is India's first Freshwater Shark insemination expert and has received National-level awards for his contributions.

He further mentioned that even people from Assam have been approaching him to purchase fish fingerlings.

Speaking on the State's economy, Khemchand Singh said that agriculture plays a vital role in the economic development.

To strengthen the agriculture sector, the Department of Agriculture has initiated double cropping in Imphal East, Imphal West and Kakching districts.

He noted that earlier, Rabi crop seeds were distributed during the month of January or February; but with the initiative of the Agriculture Department, Rabi seeds are now distributed to the farmers enabling the farmers to sow Rabi crops immediately after harvesting the Kharif crops.

This, he observed, marks a significant achievement in the agricultural sector.

Similarly, the fisheries sector also contributes to the State's economy.

Emphasising the importance of building a self-reliant State, he urged all to work together with practical commitment towards achieving a self-reliant Manipur.

He mentioned that the State had been spending nearly Rs 350 crore on purchasing fish from outside the State to meet the demands, but the amount has now been reduced considerably through the initiatives of the Department of Fisheries.

Looking ahead, Khemchand expressed confidence that with the active participation of fish farmers and the dedicated efforts of officials of the Department of Fisheries, the expenditure on procuring fish from outside the State could be reduced in the coming years.

Speaking at the gathering, Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho said that God has blessed the people of the State in a very unique and special way with a very rich culture.

He questioned why people should not choose peace when they have such a blessed culture and when God has given them everything.

Elaborating on the essence of Ningol Chakkouba, Dikho said that when parents send their daughters and sisters to an unknown family after marriage to start a new life, they wish that they become good ambassadors of their own family.

He called upon all the communities to continue to preserve this beautiful culture, stating that he believes such a culture does not exist in any other part of the world.

Dikho concluded by saying that people of the State should celebrate the festival with gratefulness to God and with love for their families.

He urged everyone to pray that during this time of celebration, peace may come into everyone's hearts, into families, into the environment and into the State.

He thanked everyone for the wonderful gifts given to him and prayed that God may bless all.

MLA Heikham Dingo Singh appreciated the efforts of the Fisheries Department and fish farmers in promoting self-reliance and strengthening the State's economy.

He also highlighted that Manipur, which earlier relied on other States for Freshwater Shark fingerlings, has now started producing them locally, marking a significant achievement towards self-sufficiency.

The Chief Minister also inspected the stalls set up at the fair.

Notably, the Department of Fisheries has been supporting fish farmers through schemes such as the Loktak Livelihood Mission, the National Fisheries Development Board, PMMSY and NEC to increase fish production in the State and encourage farmers.

The prizes for this year's Fish Fair-cum-Fish Crop Competition will be Rs 2 lakh for the first position holder, Rs.1.5 lakh for the second position holder, Rs.1 lakh for the third position holder, Rs.50,000 for the highest indigenous fish production, Rs.20,000 each as consolation prizes for 20 selected farmers and Rs.30,000 each for the Best Fish Producing Officers for Valley and Hills.

The programme was attended by Commissioner, Fisheries, Robert Singh Kshetrimayum; Fisheries Director T Phulen Meitei; District Fishery Officers; other Government officials; fish farmers and the general public.

Interestingly, descaling of fish was also done at the fair.

There were around five stalls where descaling of fish was done and long queues could be seen at these stalls.

They charged Rs 30 per Kg for descaling fish.