State fish farmers urged to rear Sareng, loan assured
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR

Imphal, July 10 2021: Chief minister N Biren Singh announced that the state government would provide loans with 50 percent grant to fish farmers who produce local Sareng and instructed the Fisheries Department to introduce a scheme in this regard soon.

Speaking during the observance of 21st National Fish Farmers' Day, 2021 organised by the Directorate of Fisheries at its Lamphelpat office complex on Saturday, CM Biren stressed that as fish dish has been the dominant feature of cuisine in many Manipuri households the fish farmers need to adopt advancement made in fish farming in order to meet the high demand for fresh fish which are also healthy for consumption.

While informing that increasing annual fish yield had been one of the priorities ever since the formation of the government, he said that with the aim to increase fish production, the government had also provided financial assistance to many fish farmers under different schemes.

Appreciating the Manipur State Cooperative Bank Limited for providing loans of around Rs 22 crore to fish farmers till now, the CM said the government has eased certain norms to facilitate those involved in fish production conveniently procure loan with the emphasis on single clearance window system consequently convincing the borrowers to repay the loan in time.

He also informed that production capacity of fishes in the state has increased from 31,000 MT to 33,000 MT per year now due to the joint efforts of the government and the fish farmers.

The production capacity had been affected to some extent by the pandemic which otherwise would have increased significantly, the CM observed.

He further said that the government is making its best efforts to produce sufficient numbers of fingerlings for supply to fish farmers at a lower rate and stressed the need to make fish feed locally available in order to reduce the cost incurred in fish farming.

Instructing the Department officials to inquire if the machine for producing fish feed is working properly, the Chief Minister also asked them to procure a new machine if it is not operational.

He also appealed to the people to accomplish their duties with sincerity and work together in coordination with one another to take the state to the path of development.

Delivering his presidential speech, Fisheries Minister Sorokhaibam Rajen stated that the production capacity of fish in the state had increased to 33,000 MT in recent years under the innovative ideas and supervision of Chief Minister Biren.

He maintained that the government had taken up schemes to provide assistance to fish farmers and conducted training programmes for biofloc fish farming in all the hill districts.

Minister Rajen informed that the government had also allotted land for three years to the landless farmers who want to carry out fish farming on lease amount of Rs 20,000 per acre per year under the Loktak Livelihood Mission.

This would help in increasing fish production in the state, he expressed.

The Minister further informed that he and his department officials met the Union Fisheries Minister and briefed the latter about certain necessary projects on his recent visit to Delhi.

He also announced that one cold storage each would be established in Imphal West and Bishnupur districts to prevent wastage of fish.

He also urged the officials of the Fisheries Department to put in sincere efforts towards producing fingerlings from the farms owned by the Department so that it could be supplied to the fish farmers at subsidised rates.

Delivering the key-note address, fisheries director Heisnam Balkrisna Singh said that National Fish Farmers' Day is observed on July 10 every year in memory of scientists Dr KH Alikunhi and Dr HL Chaudhary for their successful demonstration of Hypophysation (technology of induced breeding) in Indian Major Carps on this day in 1957 .

He added that the day is also observed in recognition of the hard work and sincere efforts of fish farmers in producing fish for the people.

During the function, cash rewards to 'Best Fish Farmers - 2020' were also distributed.

The Highest Producer in Group Category was rewarded with Rs 1 lakh.

First, second and third highest producers in Individual Category were also rewarded with Rs 1 lakh, Rs 70,000 and Rs 50,000 respectively.

The other rewards included Highest Individual Fish Producer, Highest Fish Production Officers in Valley and Hill districts and consolation prizes.

The awardees were also presented certificate and coffee table book of Four Years Citizen Centric Government.

The Chief Minister also released a booklet highlighting the activities and achievements of the Fisheries Department in the past four years.

Commissioner (fisheries) M Harekrishna, joint secretary Neeta Arambam, MSCB Ltd managing director Ahanthem Subhash, Department officials and fish farmers from across the state also attended the programme among others.

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