Imphal, April 28: In the present context rearing of Ngakra has become an important industries in the State for which there is adequate raw materials, market demand of the product, and thus can earn profit easily, former Union Minister Th Chaoba has stated.

Speaking at the concluding function of the five-day long training programme on rearing of Ngakra (Clarias Batrachus) held at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Bishnupur district at Utlou today, Chaoba, who is also the chairman of the Kendra, observed that with the same amount of energy and efforts spend on taking up cultivation work, one can easily earn more income from rearing of Ngakra.

The training programme was organised under the ICAR programme.

Among other gifts bestowed by Mother Nature, the rain water falling during rainy season is not made saline and this help in the activities of the pisciculturists, he added.

On the nutritional values of Ngakra, Chaoba said Ngakra is a variety of fish which is low in fat and have lot of medicinal value.

Asking why a fish farmer would not be able to take up rearing of Ngakra, he pointed out that the cost of one kg of Ngakra in the market today above Rs 300.Along with rearing of Ngakra, the fish farmers can also earned extra income from growing of Singjupal around the same pond, Chaoba suggested.

Programme Co-ordinator Y Nabakishore appealed to all the fish farmers to help in promotion of this indigenous fish variety.

District Fisheries Officer of Bishnupur Th Birendra Singh and National awardee in rearing of Ngakra S Surchandra were also present during the function.

In all 25 trainees have successfully participated in the training programme conducted under the sponsorship of National Fisheries Development Board, Hyderabad.

Certificates were distributed among the trainees during the concluding function.

In continuation of its activities, the KVK would be conducting training on problems and diseases related to aquaculture from May 6 to 10 .

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