Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Friday said that the State would be self-sufficient in fish production by 2020.
He said this at the first ever ‘Fish Farmers’ Meet’ held at Durbar Hall of Chief Minister’s Secretariat in Imphal.
N Biren also said that his government is keen to enhance the fish production in the State to meet the demand.
The Chief Minister further said that there is vast scope for fish farming as there are abundant water bodies in the State.
He also announced that a fish feed factory would be set up at an estimated cost of Rs 1.5 crores in the State soon.
The Chief Minister also said that a state level committee has been formed to increase the fish production in the State soon.
After the meeting, Biren Singh tweeted:
‘After a “Fish Farmers’ Meet” today, a high level committee on fishery and fish production in the State was constituted, consisting of MLAs, officials and fish farmers to look into the possibilities of higher fish production for self sustenance in the State’.
Around 200 fish farmers attended the meeting on Friday.
During the three-hour meeting, fish farmers also presented their opinions and suggestions to increase fish production in the State.
Notably, 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.
Among those who attended the meeting were chairman of Manipur Pollution Control Board L Radhakishore, chairman PDA T Robindro, legislators P Sharatchandra, L Susindro Meitei, S Subashchandra Singh, secretary (Fisheries) M Luikham, director (Fisheries) H Biramani Singh, high ranking officials of ICAR and NABARD.