State unable to meet even half its fish demand

SHILLONG: Meghalaya is struggling to keep pace with the growing demand for fish in the State with the fisheries sector failing to compensate for even 50 per cent of the total consumption.
Informing this at the 4th State Aqua Fest held on the State Central Library premises here on Friday, Fisheries Department Secretary BDR Tiwari expressed concern over the fact that despite a number of initiatives the fisheries sector has not been able to meet even half of the State’s requirements.
Tiwari, however, said that the State has set a 2022 target to achieve self-sufficiency in fish production.
He noted that market linkage and value chain development is crucial to provide better platform to farmers to sell their produce. Stating that any market is competitive, Tiwari said that fish products from the State will survive in the competitive market if quality is good and the pricing is reasonable.
Health Minister Roshan Warjri, who was the chief guest on the occasion, said that at a time when the youth of the State are facing unemployment the State Aqua Culture Mission can serve as a source of livelihood. Stating that there is a need to promote organic food, she said that the State will bring in “Blue Revolution” to pave the way for organic food.
She also requested the Fisheries Department to turn its attention to the traditional market, Iewduh, for the development of fish market. Warjri maintained that 20,000 people in rural areas have benefitted from the Meghalaya State Aqua Culture Mission.
Meanwhile, fish farmers, self-help groups and line departments, among others, took part in the 4th Aqua Fest which drew hundreds to the State Central Library premises on Friday.
Heavy shortage
The State Government might have set a five-year deadline for self-sufficiency in fish production but sources in the Fisheries Department say that is a heavy shortage of local varieties.
“There is huge shortage (of fish) in the state. Meghalaya produces only a quarter of the total demand,” sources from the department told The Shillong Times.
Meanwhile, fish farmers informed that fish seeds are bought from Assam-based sellers.Sources further said that the department is unable to meet the needs of all farmers as far as supply of fish seeds is concerned.
In such a situation the fish farmers turn to Assam traders. On the other hand, S.K. Das, Principal Scientist and head of the Fisheries Division, ICAR informed that ICAR produces and distributes quality fingerlings to farmers.