Itanagar: Chief Minister Jarbom Gamlin on Tuesday emphasised upon promoting fisheries as an alternate source of livelihood, especially for the youths of the state.
”With a significant wide range of fish resources, ranging from Alpine varieties to tropical ones in the lower altitudes, Arunachal Pradesh has the capability of emerging as a prominent hub of fisheries to boost up the state’s economy,” Gamlin observed.
He was speaking at the inauguration of a two-day state level review meeting on development of fisheries here on Tuesday.
The state is presently having a deficit of 10,000 tonnes in fish production against a demand of 13000 tonnes.
Impressed with the way the department of fisheries had been attempting to bring fisheries to the fore-front of the economic agenda, the chief minister fervently appealed to the media in the state to play a pivotal role in publicising this sector. ”Media must be used extensively to achieve this and we need a change in mindset for the fisheries department to fully utilize its hidden potential,” Gamlin stressed.
While maintaining that fisheries were an excellent way of bringing opportunities to the doorsteps of the people in order to create employment opportunities, the chief minister advocated for bringing about fisheries revolution where the consumption requirements of fish were met within the state and not procured from farms in other states. The CM also called for promoting fisheries cooperatives, as cooperatives ensure that the dividends are spread across a larger beneficiary base. He categorically requested the cooperative bodies to support the department in this field.
Gamlin further stressed on the need to promote entrepreneurship amongst the local youths by giving them access to technology and to markets besides paving way for farm side research on better breeding techniques to the fish farmers to promote this viable industry.
The Director, Fisheries, Dr P Nath in a power point presentation dwelt on the immense potential for aqua tourism in Arunachal Pradesh. He also highlighted the different areas taken up by the department to promote pisciculture including pond aquaculture, construction of fish seed hatchery etc. Among others, Education Minister Bosiram Siram, Tourism and WRD Minister Pema Khandu, Secretary, Fisheries, Kaling Tayeng, HoDs, MDs of Cooperative institutions and DFDOs were present on the occasion. (UNI)