Decks cleared for Ningol Chakkouba fish fair
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, October 24 2024: In preparation for the Ningol Chakkouba festival on November 3, the fisheries department would be organising its annual state-level fish exhibition on November 2, showcasing an impressive 1.5 lakh kilograms of fish, including indigenous species like Pengba and Sareng.

The exhibition will feature around 150 stalls, offering a variety of fish and other agricultural products.

Speaking to The People's Chronicle, fisheries minister H Dingo highlighted the significance of this year's exhibition, especially since last year's event was cancelled due to the conflict in the state...

He said that Manipur is a fish-consuming state and that the government's efforts to increase fish yield have reduced the state s dependence on fish from other regions.

The minister urged the public to view the exhibition not as a festival but as an important platform for fish farmers to sell their produce, which will contribute to the local economy and provide insights into the state's fish production capacity for future planning.

He also assured that fish would be available at affordable rates.

Joining the media briefing, fisheries director H Balkrishna detailed the scale of the exhibition, revealing that 1.5 lakh kilograms of fish of various fish farmers would be on display.

Among the different fish types, indigenous species such as 'Pengba', some weighing as much as 1 kg, and local 'Sareng' will be available for purchase.

In addition to fish, the exhibition will feature stalls selling agriculture, horticulture, and forestry products.

Special stalls will also be set up to showcase craft items made by displaced people from relief camps, broadening the scope of the exhibition.

The event will include a competition among fish farmers, with cash prizes for the top producers.

The first, second, and third prize winners will receive Rs 1 lakh, Rs 70,000, and Rs 50,000, respectively, while consolation prizes of Rs 10,000 each will also be awarded.

A special prize of Rs 20,000 will be given to the highest producer of indigenous fish species, highlighting the government's focus on promoting local varieties.

The rate for different fish types at the exhibition has been announced.

Local Sareng will be priced at Rs 1200 per kg, Catla at Rs 210 per kg, Rohu and Mirgal (below 1 kg) at Rs 220 per kg, Grass Carp (below 2 kg) at Rs 230 per kg, Silver Carp (below 3 kg) at Rs 200 per kg, Ukabi at Rs 300 per kg, Porom at Rs 300 per kg, Tunghanbi at Rs 150 per kg, and Ngahei (above 3 kg) at Rs 200 per kg.

Pengba, a much sought-after indigenous species, will be priced at Rs 450 per kg for those below 300 grams and Rs 550 per kg for those above 300 grams.

In the 2022 edition of the exhibition, 1.27 lakh kg of fish were produced, and this year's event is expected to surpass that figure, with a significant boost in production.

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