Around 99 pc of raw material for Ngari imported: Jiten
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, February 08 2025: Editors' Guild Manipur (EGM) organised a media awareness programme on Fishery Outreach Programme' at the auditorium hall of Saturday.

The event highlighted the need for producing good quality barb fish (Fabou Nga), the raw material for making Ngari, the indigenous fermented fish of the state Speaking as resource person on the topic of 'NFDP, Aquaculture Insurance, FIDF & PM-MKSSY' during the technical session, Jiten said that good quality Barb fish is imported from other states like Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, UP, Gujarat, and even Bangladesh, which accounts for 99 per cent of the raw material for making Ngari.

While there are records of Barb fishes being caught in Kumbi and Moirang, the importance of this fish to the economy is so great and as such, the demand is alarming.

T

Around 99 pc of raw material for Ngari imported: Jiten

hus, there is a need to formulate some kind of policy for enhancing production of this certain fish species, without which the state would continue to suffer great loss.

In addition, the other states will not take the fish up for discussion as they do not use it as much as Manipur does.

For example, West Bengal will not invest or research into Ngari, as the fish is meant to be sold raw, he conveyed.

Stating that around 90 per cent of the state's people consume Ngari; he mentioned that Ngari is different from Sithol (used in Tripura, Bengal and Assam), with the former being more a soft and refined fermented version.

He suggested setting up a hotspot in Pumlen Pat for rearing and production of barb fishes.

However, these need to be done in consultation with the departments concerned for formulating the policy.

Moderated by senior journalist Ahongsabam Mobi, the technical session was also participated by EGM general secretary Rupachandra Yumnam as resource person on the topic Importance of media in promoting Fishery Schemes'.

He emphasised for media houses to publish authentic news, which could be interesting to the people.

It is not possible for a state to develop without revenue and the people, apart from the government, should have good economic resources.

If the state has to increase the production of fishes, media should help in informing the fishermen about the various government schemes, he added.

Earlier, while addressing the event as chief guest, fisheries minister Dingo said that Manipur is a fish-consuming state but its own supply is unable to meet its demand and as such, has to import from other states.

Of its required production demand of 65,000 MT fish, the state has been able to produced 45,000 MT only.

Apart from the economic point of view, there is also a need to discuss and analyse whether the imported fishes, which are cheap, big in size and easy to buy, are safe for human consumption and devoid of any chemicals and preservatives.

Dingo then said that the media can help in disseminating the information shared during the programme to the general masses.

He informed that the fisheries department has been able to reduce the fund used in importing fishes to the state by around Rs 200 crore.

In addition, the department is trying to increase fish production in the state.

For this, new technology is needed.

Meanwhile, the PMMSY scheme will greatly benefit the fish farmers in increasing their income.

There is a strong need to spread awareness about the scheme amongst the fish farmers, he stressed, while highlighting the department's success in reviving the indigenous Sareng fish of the state.

If we are to end the import of fish and consume good quality ones, we need to increase the fish production in the state.

For this, the fish farmers need to be enthusiastic and increase their knowledge of rearing and producing fishes.

This would greatly benefit the farmers as well as the people and the state.

Presided over by EGM president Khogendra Khomdram, the programme was attended by fisheries director T Phulen Meitei; IPR director Ng Uttam; AMWJU president Bijoy Kakchingtabam and MHJU president Peter Adani as guests of honour.