SHILLONG: Fish production in the state is not sufficient to meet the demand as fish farming has failed to pique the interest of people.
“In 2017-18 the local fish production is 12,300 metric tonnes (MT). The amount of fish that the state needs is 30,000 MT. We are making efforts to increase production,” Fisheries Minister Comingone Ymbon said.
“Fish production is mostly in Ri Bhoi and Garo Hills while it is less in Jaintia Hills and East Khasi Hills since pisciculture is also based on weather,” he added.
Former Chief Minister Mukul Sangma launched the Aquaculture Mission on March 5, 2012, one of the nine missions under the Meghalaya Integrated Basin Development and Livelihood Programme. Yet the state is grappling with the issues of self-sufficiency in fish production.
Ymbon said the state government will find means to meet the demand.
To a query, he said that officials of the Fishery Department conduct tests on the fishes that are packed from outside the state even as he admitted that there is a delay in the arrival of fishes from outside the state. Expressing disappointment that pisciculture failed to attract people in the state, Ymbon said, “There are very less fish farmers in the state. Schemes are available at the Fishery department but people are not interested in taking advantage of it.”
According to him, fish farming is a productive venture if people work hard.
He urged the people not to resort to bombs and toxic materials to kill fishes. “Different villages are vigilant nowadays to prohibit such harmful and illegal activities. Those who indulge in such activities should be punished,” he said.
