Itanagar: Mumbai-based Central Institute of Fisheries Education (CIFE) vice chancellor W S Lakra on Tuesday called for launching a blue revolution in North East India, particularly Arunachal Pradesh to end dependence on Andhra Pradesh for fishes.
Addressing participants of a two-day training-cum- workshop on “Aquaculture and fisheries management for food and nutritional securities in Arunachal Pradesh” being conducted by CIFE here, Lakra said the CIFE would undertake an in-depth analysis of the vast aquaculture resources of this Himalayan state and draw a map for increasing fish production in Arunachal to benefit the farmers.
He advocated study on fisheries with cent per cent job guarantee and urged fisheries officers, extension officers and progressive fish farmers from all over the state to spread awareness.
Expressing concern at the illegal fishing practises threatening the indigenous species, Fisheries parliamentary secretary Karya Bagang called upon the farmers to gain latest knowhow to become master of their own destiny and assured CIEF of all support of the state government.
Informing that Arunachal’s fish production was very minimal despite its huge natural resources, fisheries secretary Dani Salu suggested regular evaluation of the contribution of each project to state economy.
On status of fisheries in the state, department’s OSD D Das said 84 new fish species were found in the state since 2000 increasing the total number to 215.
Fisheries director J Taba and senior directorate officers were also present on the occasion.
Create income-generating schemes in farming sector: minister
Arunachal Pradesh Agriculture minister Chowna Mein has stressed the need for motivation of all stakeholders, introduction of high yielding varieties of crops and involvement of rural youths in farming by creating income-generating schemes in the farming sector.
During a meeting with departmental officers here yesterday to review the status of schemes and programmes of the department, the minister emphasized the need to explore the feasibility for creation of more irrigation systems particularly in the foothill areas for higher production, a press release said here today.
The minister appreciated the plea of the department for arrangement of state matching share to acess central government funding against various innovative schemes and assured to take up the matter with appropriate authority.
Earlier, in a power point presentation, Agriculture Advisor A K Purkayastha elucidated the present status and future strategies for food and farm income security of the state and pointed out few important issues for consideration of the state government.
The Agri & allied sectors’ contribution to state GDP was 31.6 per cent during 2011-12 as against 24.9 per cent during 2006-07 and the crop production programme in the state has maintained around 8 per cent annual growth rate in the first two years (2012-14) of the XII Plan against 6.5 per cent target, the release said. (PTI)
