NABARD meet eyes advancing aquaculture
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 21 2024: A meeting focused on development of fisheries and aquaculture in the state was held at the Lamphelpat office of NABARD, here, on Tuesday.

The discussion centred on addressing challenges and opportunities in the sector, particularly in the areas of coldwater fisheries and aquaculture.

According to a press statement issued by NABARD, the meeting was attended by ICAR-Directorate of Coldwater Fisheries Research (DCF) Bhimtal, Uttarakhand director Dr Promod Kumar Pandey, and NABARD Manipur Regional Officer GM/ OIC Partha Mandal.

They were joined by Manipur University Zoology Department assistant professor Dr Rameshwari Yumnam, KVK-Ukhrul senior scientist-cum-head Dr S Khogen, and KVK-Churachandpur senior scientist-cum-head Dr Manoj Kumar Pandey.

Senior officials from NABARD, including DGM Bendang Aier also participated.

The meeting addressed strategies to improve the socio-economic status of resource-poor fish farmers in the state through enhanced aquaculture and fisheries development.

Dr Pandey highlighted the potential of establishing Re-circulatory Aquaculture Systems (RAS) for cultivating "Rainbow Trout" in Manipur's hilly regions, explaining that rainbow trout is a globally acclaimed delicacy and its cultivation could significantly boost the local economy.

Furthermore, the meeting emphasised on developing aquaculture with indigenous fish species such as Pengba and Ngaton.

Participants agreed on a convergence approach for aquaculture development, involving all stakeholders, including progressive farmers, entrepreneurs, bankers, KVK officials, academicians from Manipur University, ICAR officials, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), Self-Help Groups (SHGs), and the Directorate of Fisheries, Imphal.

In his address, Partha Mandal assured NABARD's commitment to supporting the state's blue economy through liberal financing options, including bank finance, the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), and other NABARD schemes.

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