Fish fair leaves many disappointed
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 30 2008: "Efforts are on to adopt new and modern fish rearing technologies and to declare Bishnupur district a model district for fishery so as to enhance fish productivity in the State", said Fishery Minister Md Allaudin Khan.

Md Allaudin Khan was speaking at the opening function of the Fish Fair cum Fish Crop Competition organised by the Fishery Department at Mapal Kangjeibung today.

Even as around 60 stalls were opened at the fair, some of the stalls did not have much fish to sell, apparently reflecting the insufficient fish productivity of the State.

Indigenous fish Pengba, to be the main draw at the fair

Many people were left disappointed as the fish fair wound up early.

Some of them questioned the use of organising the fish fair if it cannot remain open for long.

In fact fish stocks ran out as early as from 4 pm.

The indigenous fish species of Pengba, known for its delicacy and already declared the State fish, was the main attraction of the fair.

But the insufficient quantity literally created a jostling among the buyers of Pengba.

Addressing the opening function of the fair, Minister Allaudin stated that efforts were on to declare Bishnupur district a model fishery district under a special programme of the Central Government.

The same initiative may also encompass some parts of Imphal West district.

Informing that the Government has been mulling to declare some other fish varieties as State Fishes together with Pengba, Allaudin said that plans are on to avail loans to fish farmers.

Taking into account the difficulties faced by economically underprivileged sections in buying fish for Ningol Chakkouba, the Government has been considering to sell fishes with a certain discount at the fish fair from next year.

The loss suffered by the fish farmers due to the discount will be reimbursed by the Government, the Fishery Minister said.

Fishery Director K Saratkumar said that the Fishery Department has been organising fish fair every year for Ningol Chakkouba festival since 1974.The fair is aimed at reducing the quantity of fish imported from other States for Ningol Chakkouba, he said.

The opening function of the fish fair was also attended by Chairman of Manipur Pollution Control Board E Dwijamani.

First Prize of the Fish Fair cum Fish Crop Production Competition was won by Soibam Dhanabir of Ningombam while the second prize and third prize went to Paonam Nilamani of Hiyanglam Makha Leikai and Livestock Rearing Fish Farmers and Loktak Lake Development Cooperative Society, Thanga respectively.

First prize winner Soibam Dhanabir produced 12,321 kgs of fish in the fair while the second and third prize winners produced 7,632 kgs and 4,160 kgs respectively.

The prize for the highest producer of indigenous fish (Pengba and Ngaton) went to Soibam Surchandra of Hiyangthang.

He produced 1000 kgs of indigenous fish varieties.