Biren bats for Manipur a self sufficient fish production by 2020

Pothashang News Service: Imphal, July 6, 2018: Chief minister N. Biren Singh on Friday said the present government is keen to enhance the fish production in the state so that the state would have a self sufficient fish production by 2020.

He declared this at the first ever ‘Fish Farmers’ Meet’ held at Durbar hall, chief minister’s secretariat today.

Biren said there is vast scope for fish farming as there are abundant water bodies in the state. He maintained that a fish feed factory would be set up at an estimated cost of Rs. 1.5 crores in the state soon. Fish feeds would be easily available in the market, he added. He stated that a bigger factory would also be constructed under the PPP model.

A state level committee has been formed to increase the fish production in the state soon, said the chief minister.

He highlighted that such meeting is especially convened to chalk out the plans with the officials of banks, NABARD, fisheries department and fish farmers to improve the fish production in the state.

Around 200 fish farmers attended the meeting. During the three-hour meeting, farmers gave their opinions and suggestions to increase the fish production in the state. The farmers appreciated the government for organising such meeting. During the meeting, the farmers were made aware of the existing central and state sponsored schemes for fish farming in the state.

Out of the 50,000 metric tons of fish required for consumption in the state, only 30,000 metric tons are being produced by the fish farmers in the state annually.

Chairman of Manipur Pollution Control Board L. Radhakishore, chairman PDA T. Robindro, MLAs P. Sharatchandra, L. Susindro Meitei, S. Subashchandra Singh, secretary (fisheries) M. Luikham, director (Fisheries) H. Biramani Singh, high ranking officials of ICAR and NABARD among others attended the meeting.