SHILLONG, Aug 30: Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has revealed a slew of stratagems, chalked out by the state government, to address the deficit in Meghalaya’s fish production.
Replying to a query from UDP MLA from Nongpoh, Mayralborn Syiem, on the last day of the Autumn Session of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly here on Friday, Conrad said Meghalaya requires about 75 million fish fingerlings in a year as against the state’s own production of 24.712 million to meet the demands.
“We have a huge shortfall of about 50 million that is there right now,” he said.
Informing that the annual requirement of fish in Meghalaya is about 32,000 metric tons, which is valued at almost Rs 640 crores, Conrad said, “Due to various interventions, close to about 21,000 metric tons, is being produced in the state itself, which means close to about Rs 400 crore goes to the farmer.”
He informed that with 5,438.73 hectares of water area under fish production, the sector has expanded its reach, providing essential support to the rural economy.
The chief minister then went on to reveal various government interventions that have been planned to give a fillip to Meghalaya’s fish production.
He announced plans for the launch of Meghalaya State Aquaculture Mission (MSAM)-3, a strategic initiative aimed at further expanding the state’s fish production.
According to the chief minister, this initiative is expected to play a crucial role in achieving the state’s goal of self-reliance in the primary sector.
With a shortfall of about 12,000 metric tons, Conrad said they would not have to look at markets outside Meghalaya.
“Hence, we are looking to have small markets and the logistical network creation of vans with cold storage facilities. These are the needs of the hour. And hence, from the government side, all these areas will definitely be looked into,” he said.
Under the MSAM-3, which will be effective from 2024-2029, Conrad said that they will work out a detailed listing of all the different aspects, like cold storage, transport facilities, and retail units.
As part of the initiative, Conrad continued, the government is also contemplating the set-up of 25 cold storage plants for the next five years.
The chief minister also informed that the government is planning to procure motorcycle ice boxes, three-wheelers with refrigeration, and oxygenated and insulated vans in the next five years.
Meanwhile, Conrad informed that the government has coughed up close to Rs 35 crore under MSAM from 2019 to 2024, with around 2,500 beneficiaries having benefited.
He also informed that the government has facilitated 50 fish hatcheries across the state, with nine already fully functional.
Additionally, 34 fiberglass-reinforced plastic hatcheries and 16 eco-hatcheries are under construction, showcasing the state’s proactive approach to enhancing infrastructure to support this initiative, Conrad said.
Earlier, UDP MLA from Nongpoh, Mayralborn Syiem had impressed upon the state government to handhold the fish farmers to boost the fish production in Meghalaya.
Raising the issue during the Question Hour, Syiem said Meghalaya’s fisheries sector has a huge potential for economic growth and livelihood improvement.
The Nongpoh MLA, however, said there were challenges faced by the fish farmers, some of which included inadequate infrastructure, limited market access and outbreak of disease.
“I would also like to know about the efforts which have been taken with regard to addressing the problem faced by the fish farmers, especially on hatchery, which is one of the important components for the fish farmers to be able to support themselves,” he had said.
