Imphal, November 06 2008: MANIPUR FISHERIES Minister Md Allauddin Khan on wednesday informed that the state government has started to discuss framing of a fisheries policy in order to develop fisheries in the state.

Speaking to a formal inauguration of a Community fish smoking kiln:Burla model 2008 at the Lamphelpat complex of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research near here today morning,Minster Allauddin said,"our government is even discussing for the introduction of fishery policy".

"Besides we have been urging the centre to announce Manipur's Bishnupur district as a model district of fisheries" he added.Minister however acknowledged the state's inability to produce required fish demands.

Manipur managed to produce around 18,000 MT of table fish against the requirement of 25,000 MT in a year.

The required quality were imported from outside to meet the necessity.

Government is aware of this,but due to certain difficulties,it is yet to overcome,the minister further informed the annual budget of the fishery department is also very limited.

Mukunda,Director of Central Institute of Fisheries Technology,Kochi who presides the formal function of the inaugural programme said that he is compelled to come here for the first time in view of the prospects in the state.

Regarding the improvement of the fisheries in Manipur,Mukunda said,"once the people here utilize the water bodies properly,it can double the production rate and it would even generate more income besides providing job opportunity to many".

Not less than 50,000 MT of fish could be produced easily in a year.Manipur is having around one lakh hectare of water bodies.

"If you want technical support and other new method,we're always ready to help you" the visiting officer promised.

Director CIFT further urged the state authority here to take up 'total utilization of fish' to generate more income.In this process,one can utilized the various parts of the fish apart from using only the flesh.

L Lakher,Commissioner of the state fisheries department terming the contribution of the CIFT in developing fisheries in a state like Manipur is 'tremendous',expressed the desire to increase the fish production to meet the demands.State Fisheries Director Karam Saratkumar Singh had even presented a power point presentation on CIFT's role in improving fisheries in the region.

The CIFT has so far introduced 17 community fish smoking kilns across the state since 2006 .

Five of them came in 2006,2 in last year and 10 more this year.

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