FARMERS ARE THE BACKBONE OF THE STATE: T. ROBINDRO

The Directorate of Fisheries, Manipur today celebrated 17^th Fish Farmers’ Day, 2017 at the Directorate’s complex located at Lamphelpat, Imphal. The function was attended by Chairman, Planning & Development Authority (PDA), Manipur Shri T. Robindro as Chief Guest, Director, Fisheries, Manipur Shri David K. Shimray as President, and Director, Economics & Statistics Smt P. Kamei as Guest of Honour. The main highlight of the celebration was the distribution of Cash awards to the winners of the Fish Fair-cum Fish Crop Competition, 2016 held in October last year.

Speaking at the function, Chairman, PDA T. Robindro, who hails from Thanga Assembly Constituency, stated that Manipur is a highly suitable place for fisheries and allied activities since vast area of the state is covered with fresh water including the Loktak Lake, the biggest fresh water lake in the north east. He suggested the State Fisheries Department for setting up Fisheries Industries in the State to increase production of quality fishes so as to meet the State demand and also for export outside the state.

“Fish is the staple food for the people of Manipur, and the fish farmers are the backbone of the State. One cannot survive without depending on the farmers,” remarked by T. Robindro, who himself was a fish farmer in his younger days, while acknowledging the effort and contribution of the fish farmers. The PDA Chairman appealed the fish farmers to learn and use the modern techniques and know-how of fish farming for manifold increase in the production. Robindro also called on the farmers to promote rearing and production of indigenous fishes, which have unique taste and high nutritive value.

During the function, Cash awards of Rs 1,00,000, Rs 70.000 and Rs 50,000 along with citations were distributed to the top three winners of the Fish Fair-cum Fish Crop Competition, 2016. Consolation Prizes carrying Rs.7000 each were also given to 25 fish farmers. A special Cash Prize of Rs. 20,000 and citation was awarded to the winner for Indigenous Fish Producer. Two Officers of the Fisheries Department, namely T. Shyamanda Singh, CEO, FFDA (Bishnupur) and S. Umananda Singh, DFO, Churachandpur, who were the highest fish producers among the valley and hill districts, were also rewarded with Cash reward of Rs. 15,000 each.

It may be noted that Fish Farmers’ Day is being observed across the country today to commemorate the first successful induced breeding achieved by Dr. Hiralal Chaudhuri at Angul in Odisha on 10th July 1957.