New technologies not helping State to meet its fish demand
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, June 12 2014: Although several new technologies for fish farming in Manipur have been introduced, the increasing demand for fish has not been able to meet in the State.

The fish consumption rate in the State is estimated to be 35,000 metric tonne a year, but currently it can produce only 25,000 metric tonne of fish annually.

Official sources said Thursday that the State Fishery Department has taken up 12 Schemes to solve the shortage of fish products in the State.

These Schemes or plans include Inland Fisheries Development, Fishery Extension Programme, Training Programme Assistance to Pisciculture Scheme, Fish Fair-cum-Crop Competition, Fish Farms Development Agencies & Other Centrally Sponsored Scheme, Rastriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), North East Council Scheme, Rural Infrastructure Development Fund, Protection of Loktak Lake, National Fisheries Development Board Programme.

Under Inland Fisheries Development Programme 2013-14, the Fishery Department started a large scale fish seeds breeding.

This plan targeted to breed 200 million fish seeds and both the private and public sectors could breed 120 million fish seeds.

Fish Farmers' Day is celebrated every year in the month of July and prizes are given to farmers during Fish Fair-cum-Crop Competition held under Fishery Extension Programme.

As part of the Training Programme, the Fishery Department nominated 98 individuals from the State to pursue 'For Your Degree Course' at Tripura's Lambuchera.

Certificate courses on Inland Fisheries Development & Management were also taken up.

Assistance is given to those who are working in the field d of Assistance Pisciculture.

Centrally sponsored Fish Farmers' Development Agencies, Government of India sanctioned nearly Rs 1.66 crore for the Inland Fishery and Aquaculture Schemes for 2013-14 .

Under RKVY Rs 480 Crore has also been sanctioned for the year 2013-14 to set up one scientific fishery estate each in every district of the State under the supervision of NEC.

Of this, Rs 150 lakh has been released to NEC during the period between 2013 and 2014 .

Despite the various scientific means and methods for fish production undertaken by the Fishery Department, the new know-how has failed to produce sufficient fish to meet the increasing demand in the State.

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