Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Friday announced that the government is targeting to make Manipur become a fully self-reliant state in fish production by 2022 to 2023. To achieve this, rigorous efforts will be given to save the money that is flowing out from the state to others to the tune of Rs 400 crore annually in importing fishes, he said. He made the announcement during the launching of annual fish fair cum fish crop competition, 2021 organised by the department of Fishery at Mapal Kangjeibung Imphal on Friday.
Attending the function as chief guest, Biren said that fish production in the state has been gradually increasing, compared to what it used to be some years ago. However, the state is still unable to become self-reliant in fish production till date as there is gap of supply and demand, he said.
“The state requires 56,000 MT of fish every year. After many efforts, the state could produce 23,000 MT of fishes in 2020 while it was 20,000 MT in 2017. The state is extending all possible efforts to meet the required amount of fish in the state without importing it from outside the state by 2022-2023,” he said.
Encouraging the fish farmers for their hard work and dedication to increase fish production, he also advised to put more efforts in promotion and conservation of local Sareng as it is considered a favourite by the people.
He also appealed to all the people of the state to celebrate the Ningol Chakouba festival cautiously to prevent any unwanted incidents from taking place.
The president of today’s function, Fishery minister S Rajen Singh hailed the fish farmers for their continuous efforts in producing fishes in state even during the prevailing pandemic.
He also said that the state was able to enhance fish production during the last four years with the support of various schemes such as Blue Revolution Scheme, Rastriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, Loktak Livelihood Mission and so on.
Under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana which is going to be taken up during the financial year 2021-2022, as many as 1,563 fish farmers will be benefited, he said. On top of this, cage culture was started near the reservoir of Khuga Dam, Khoupum Dam and Mapithel Dam, he added.
A total of 100 fish farmers participated in the fish fair, selling various types of fishes including indigenous fishes. Local Sareng was also displayed during the fair. The pisciculture of Sareng began from July this year under chief minister N Biren Singh’s Sareng Project.
A booklet about annual fish fair cum fish crop competition, 2021 was also released as a part of the programme.
Agriculture Minister O Lukhoi Singh also attended the function as guests of honour. During the function, all the dignitaries in the dais extended Ningol Chakouba greetings.
