45th annual fish fair-cum-fish crop competition held
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR

Imphal, November 02 2024: The Department of Fisheries in collaboration with National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) organised the 45th Annual Fish Fair-cum-Fish Crop Competition 2024 at Hapta Kangjeibung, Palace Compound, Imphal East on Saturday.

Speaking as the chief guest of the function, Rajya Sabha MP and titular king of Manipur Leishemba Sanajaoba highlighted the importance of fish to the Meetei community, emphasising its role in their lives from birth to death.

He expressed concern over the decline of indigenous fish species and the state's growing reliance on imported fish due to inadequate domestic production.

He then urged communities to prioritise building ponds over community halls to support fish farming and rainwater harvesting initiatives, essential for the future of fish production in Manipur.

The MP then extended his gratitude to the fisheries department for its on-going efforts and appealed to the public to take individual initiatives in fish farming.

Noting the measures taken by the Prime Minister, and the chief minister of Manipur, he emphasised the need for a joint effort between the government and citizens to revitalise the indigenous fish population, including species such as Sareng, Pengba, Ngaton, and Ngahou.

Addressing the event as functional president, fisheries minister Heikham Dingo outlined significant progress in fish production since 2017-2018 under the CM's leadership.

He highlighted successful projects such as the Loktak Livelihood Mission (LLM) and the Sareng Project, which aim to boost fish breeding and production across the state.

Despite a recent increase in production, Dingo noted that the state still faces a shortage of approximately 15,000 metric tons, resulting in over Rs 200 crores spent annually on fish imports.

He lauded the fisheries department's accomplishments, particularly the revival of indigenous fish such as local Sareng, Khabak, and Ngaton, being showcased at the fish fair on Saturday.

He further highlighted that Manipur has become the first state in India to breed Sareng fingerlings.

In his closing remarks, the minister urged the public to embrace the Blue Revolution, focusing on fish farming as a pathway to self-reliance and economic growth.

Fisheries department director Heisnam Balkrishna said that Manipur stands at fourth in the country with regard to consumption of fish, with over 80 per cent of the population being fish consumers.

He informed that various infrastructures have been set up under PMMSY in addition to taking up scientific aquaculture.

So far, there are now five ice plants and also breeding posts.

Efforts are underway to set up exclusive fish markets as well, he informed, while adding that the goal for this year's fair is as usual to increase the fish production than the previous years.

Altogether 250 fishermen participated in the fair with 180 stalls.

The fair was also attended by Manipur Building & Other Construction Workers' Welfare Board chairman K Saratkumar, Loktak Development Authority chairman M Asnikumar and Manipur State Minority Commission chairman Anwar Hussain as guests of honour.

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