Fishery one of key sectors of Indian economy: Nagaland Fishery Dept

Kohima: The Fishery is one of the key sectors of the Indian economy offering immense scope for rural uplift and development and an important source of protein, especially in developing countries.
According to a statement of Nagaland Fishery Department, the primary objective of the Department of Fisheries is to strengthen the state economy through aquaculture and it aims at maximising fish production and enhancing productivity to the level of self-sufficiency.
With these objectives in view, the department is making all effort to augment fish production by implementing a number of schemes and diversifying its activities in various areas and resources.
Nagaland is endowed with rich and unique natural resources, which provides immense potential for aquaculture development.
In spite of the available resources, aquaculture did not make much impact in the state so far.
The meager production of the state is still far from self-sufficient and this can be attributed to a number of constraints such as land locked hilly terrain, lack of adequate funds and professional support and non-availability of critical inputs.
The state has a potential of developing more reservoirs in future, which is under study and consideration by the Government.
This will boost more avenues in sport fishery, fish culture and production in the state.
At present, Doyang reservoir having a total water area of 2258 hectares is also another fishery asset of the state and lakes and reservoirs in the state have a total area of about 3528 hectares.
Lakes in the State are mostly located at unapproachable terrain and are thus lying in derelict condition so these natural water bodies are being considered for fishery developmental activities.
Ponds and Tanks are the main resources for fish production in the state at present having a total area of about 49,737 hectares. But their average production is low due to non-implementation of scientific approach.
Paddy-Cum-Fish Culture is the second major resource for fish production in the state and is being practiced in considerable areas and presently the total area of paddy field that can be harnessed for integration with fish culture is about 75,700 hectares.
There is still vast scope for developing more areas under this system that can be taken up through application of Scientific Technologies for augmenting fish production, the release said. (UNI)