Three fish farmers conferred Best Farmer Awards
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR

Imphal, July 11 2024: Three fish farmers of Manipur have been conferred with Best Farmer Award by various fisheries institutes in recognition of their outstanding contributions towards development of fisheries in Manipur on the occasion of this year's National Fish Farmers Day held on Wednesday.

Kabi Meitei Naorem of Uchiwa village, Kakching district was felicitated by ICAR - Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (CIFRI), Barrackpore, Kolkata, West Bengal with Best Fish Farmer, 2024 .

Rockson Kashung of Chadong village, Kamjong district was honoured as the Best Fish Farmer Award by the College of Fisheries, Lembu-cherra, Tripura under Central Agriculture University, Imphal and ICAR - Directorate of Coldwater Fisheries Research, Bhimtal, Uttarakhand awarded Phungkhaijai Mahung Khuiya of Kaziphung, Hungpung, Ukhrul district with Progressive Fish Farmer Award, 2024 .

Kabi Meitei is an established fish breeder having experience and skill in breeding of indigenous fish species of Manipur like 'Ngaton', 'Ngakra' and 'Ukabi' (Anabas testudineus) which are highly prized and cherished by local populace.

The Fisheries Department has already provided him a breeding unit under the financial assistance scheme of the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), Hyderabad.

Rockson Kashung is a progressive fish farmer from Chadong village who has popularised cage culture in the upstream water bodies of Mapithel Reservoir.

Following the sub mergence of his native village and agricultural land due to construction of Mapithel Dam, he initiated cage culture as an alternative livelihood for displaced villagers.

Presently, Rockson manages 24 units of cage culture by rearing exotic carps (grass carp, silver carp, common carp), big head, rohu, Puntius/Systomus sarana (Olive barb), etc., and generates income and employment for local people.

Phungkhaijai M Khuiya of Kaziphung village is also a progressive fish farmer who has specialised in breeding of carp seeds at Nungsangkhong village of Ukhrul district.

His contribution in seed production and supply to farmers from the hatchery unit established under the Blue Revolution scheme implemented by the Fishery Department and holding of Fishing Mela, an annual gala event for propagation and popularisation of fishery amongst the Tangkhul community is outstanding.

Recently, he started cold water fishery in Ukhrul district for the first time in Manipur by culturing rare indigenous 'Ngara' fish, which is accustomed to rivers in high altitude with cold climate.

Fisheries director Heisnam Balkrisna Singh has expressed happiness over the awards, which serves as a hat trick in fisheries sector wherein the efforts and contributions of state fish farmers as well as contributions of the Fisheries Department have been acknowledged by the most reputed fisheries institutes.

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