Bridging fish demand-supply gap stressed
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, December 12 2024: Fisheries Department in collaboration with the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), Hyderabad, under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, conducted an outreach campaign for fish farmers and fishers of Manipur at the office complex of the Directorate of Fisheries, Lamphelpat on Thursday.

The campaign is aimed at disseminating information about various welfare schemes of the Centre to fish farmers.

According to a statement issued by the department, approximately 80 fish farmers and fishers from various districts of the state, including representatives from four FFPOs, three primary fishery co-operative societies, five entrepreneurs, five progressive women farmers, and officials of the fisheries department, participated in the programme.

Speaking at the outreach programme, fisheries director Heisnam Balkrisna emphasised the need to bridge the gap between the demand and supply of fish in Manipur to reduce fish imports and associated expenses running into crores of rupees.

He urged fish farmers and fishers to adopt sustainable fisheries and aquaculture by availing the various schemes implemented by the ministry.

NFDB NERC, Guwahati, senior executive & O&C, AK Borah briefed the gathering about recent initiatives and efforts of the ministry, aimed at enhancing sustainable fish production and fisheries infrastructure.

He appealed to the farmers to reap the benefits of these schemes in a timely manner and ensure their dissemination at the grassroots level.

Fishery Survey of India, Mumbai, scientist, Dr HD Joshi also attended the programme and highlighted the importance of outreach programmes in enlightening and educating fish farmers about fisheries schemes while Angom Tiken Singh, a fish farmer representing a local primary fisheries co-operative society, expressed his gratitude to the organisers for conducting a practical and meaningful outreach programme in the interest of fish farmers in Manipur.

During the technical session, NFDB, Hyderabad, monitoring and evaluation expert, Dr Nandkishor Ingole delivered a lecture on various fisheries schemes, including PMMSY, PM-MKSSY, FIDF, Entrepreneur Model Scheme, Aquaculture Crop Insurance, NFDP Registration of fishers, GAIS, and KCC.

ICAR-Directorate of Coldwater Fisheries Research, Bhimtal, principal scientist, Dr Suresh Chandra Kabdw-al spoke about the prospects of cold water fisheries in the hill districts of Manipur for livelihood generation among tribal farmers.

ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, Visakhapatnam, scientist, Gaihiamngam Kamei delivered a lecture on the prospects of fish processing and value addition in Manipur for entrepreneurship development.

Additional director (fisheries) Laishram Jayarani expressed appreciation to the initiative of the ministry for organising the outreach campaign and deputing experts from various fisheries institutes.

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