SHILLONG: In the coronavirus context, there has been no government initiative or steps by fish farmers to supply local fish for sale despite the growing demands.
Though the government allowed sale of fish during the days permitted, the quantity brought from outside the state was negligible.
The Aquaculture Mission executed in two phases has not helped the government to address the scarcity. An official admitted that the local supply of fish in the market is almost nil even as there is a huge demand for fish in the urban areas.
In the past, people had relished local fish sold at State Central Library premises and other places following reports of formalin being used in fish.
Fisheries Minister Comingone Ymbon told The Shillong Times that people from rural areas are apprehensive to visit Shillong.
He also expressed concern that there is a problem of maintaining strict social distancing protocol.
“We will discuss with the Arts and Culture department for its permission to allow fish farmers to sell fish on the premises of the State Central Library. But the problem is in maintaining social distancing”, he said.
When the issue of formalin cropped up in the state, fish farmers from across East Khasi Hills had sold local fish at State Central Library and other places. To deal with the demand-supply gap, Ymbon said that there have been talks to bring local fish from Ri-Bhoi district to Shillong. “The fish are in high demand in the rural areas”, he said adding that high consumption by the rural population leaves no space for urban consumption. He added that even the fish from the paddy cum fish culture in Shangpung are not sufficient to be distributed in Jowai.
The rural folks are ready to shell out Rs 300 for one kg of mixed varieties of fish.
To ensure the success of government schemes and improve the local fish production, Ymbon suggested that the schemes should be divided into two-one that focuses on the livelihood of the people and the other is to give opportunity for entrepreneurs to invest in pisciculture.
