Our Correspondent
Imphal, Oct. 20 (EMN): The Annual Fish Fair cum Fish Crop Competition was held in connection with the Ningol Chakkouba festival which is scheduled to be celebrated across the state tomorrow, at Hapta Kangjeibung in Imphal on Friday.
Deputy Chief Minister Yumnam Joykumar Singh, Fisheries department Commissioner Panmei, Fisheries Director David K Shimray were the chief guest and guest of honour of the fish fair function.Speaking on the occasion, Joykumar said, government is trying to develop water bodies as a measure to control flood and to develop fisheries in the State.
He also said that development of wetlands, water bodies and also rain water harvesting are the key areas where proper system need to be introduced so that fisheries can be made successful in the State.Water bodies in the State have to be developed as a measure to control flood and also to use as reservoirs where fisheries can be practiced. Natural habitats as well as artificial habitats have also need to be developed to encourage indigenous fish farming in the State.
Streams mostly in the hilly areas have to be developed where fish culture can be practiced easily, he added.
On the fund allocation, he said, Government will try to re-appropriate fisheries budget to meet the expenditures in the successful implementation of various projects. Panmei said, despite repeated flood in the State this year, fish production has considerably been increased.
In fact, the relentless effort made by the farmers made it possible and it is an encouraging step. Speaking on the occasion, David said, fish fair-cum- fish crop competition is being held to facilitate buyers and also to encourage fish farmers by giving marketing facilities. He said, the State has an annual production of 32,000 metric tonnes of fish as against the requirement of 42,000 metric tonnes having a gap of 10,000 metric tonnes.
On welfare of fish farmers, 120 fish farmers have given home under National Welfare Fund for Fisherman (NWFF) and in the current fiscal, 180 numbers of fish farmers will be given home under the Fund.
Life Insurance cover of fish farmers has been introduced and as of now 12,500 fish farmers have been enrolled. NEC has sanctioned a total of Rs. 3.2 cr. for the development of fisheries in the hills.
A total of 85,000 kilograms of fish are expected to produce at the fair-cum- competition.
Cash awards of Rs. 1 lac to the highest producer of fish, Rs.75,000 and Rs.50,000 respectively will be given to the second highest and third highest producer of fish crop production in the competition.
An award of Rs 20,000/- will also be given to the highest producer of indigenous fishes, he added. Altogether, 60 Fish Stalls from different districts and fish farms were opened and varieties of fishes were sold at the fair.
