Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 13:
As done annually for the past many years on the eve of the Ningol Chakkouba festival the Directorate of Fisheries, Government of Manipur today continued the tradition of organizing Fish Fair at Mapal Kangjeibung.
Unlike in the previous occasions wherein the buyers return home contended with huge purchase of various fish varieties sold at Government fixed rates, this year debut of large prawn variety created the maximum commotion in the fair complex.
The maiden availability of the prawn variety at the fair is informed to be result of endeavor of the Directorate that encouraged the State Pisciculturists through intensive training of fish farmers.
Even though the prawns were priced at Rs 200 per kilogram it could not, however, deter the buyers from thronging stalls that displayed substantial quantity of the aqua product.
Over 50 stalls were erected at the fair and pisciculturists from several district of the State took part in the Fish Fair cum Fish Crop Competition which was inaugurated by Fishery Minister N Mangi Singh, Revenue Minister E Biramani Singh and Director of Fisheries Department S Devendra as the chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively.
Nearly 3.5 tonnes of fish of different types were brought out at the fair with prices (per kg) fixed at Rs 70 for rohu, mrigal, katla-katla and kalvasu varieties; grass carp variety costing Rs 60; silver carps sold at Rs 45; common carp Rs 60; kuri Rs 60; and pengba variety Rs 120.Top prize of Rs 10,000, second prize of Rs 7000 and Rs 4000 for the third prize are also up for grabs for participants of the fish fair competition.