By Our Reporter
Shillong, Oct 17: Fish farmers displayed their fish produce at the 7th edition of the State Aqua Fest organised by the Department of Fisheries at State Central Library, here on Tuesday.
The event acts as a medium for interactions between the government and fish farmers to meet the commitments and to make Meghalaya become self-sufficient. It is a platform where stalls managed by government departments, SHGs, NGOs, farmers, and entrepreneurs display and sell fish and other produce. Speaking at the inaugural function of the aqua-fest, Fisheries Director AL Mawlong pointed out that the state is yet to achieve its target of 32,000 tonnes production of fish per annum as per the projected population, while adding that the state is currently producing 19,000 metric tonnes per annum.
According to her, they have been able to make a steady progress in achieving the target due to the contribution of the fish farmers.
Meanwhile, she recalled that the State Aqua Fest was first organised in 2005 in a small way through the initiative taken by retired IAS officer, KN Kumar.
The fisheries department director also revealed that the government through Meghalaya State Aquaculture Mission which was launched in 2011 has tried its best to promote the culture of fish farming in the state.
Meanwhile, in his address before inaugurating the event, Fisheries Minister, AL Hek said that the State Aqua Mission is a blessing for the people of the state where economic development has come right at their doorstep.
He called upon the people to take the opportunity of the government schemes for economic and sustained livelihood.
According to him, there is a need to popularise fishery as one of the socio economic development activity in the state adding that it gives a sense of confidence to see a huge number of fish ponds coming up in different areas of the state especially in the rural areas.
The minister lamented that the state is yet to be self-sufficient in fish production as it still has to import fish from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and other state to meet the demand.
Present at the inaugural function were Fisheries Minister, Alexander Laloo Hek, Secretary of Fisheries department, SC Sadhu among others.