CM calls for taking advantage under fishery scheme

By Our Correspondent:

Tura, Apr 3: Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma today said that the schemes under fishery sector would be made “demand-driven” so that there would be no room for spoon feeding.

He also announced a special expansion scheme to all committed farmers to expand their existing fish farms and hatcheries.

The chief minister informed that the department of fisheries has been entrusted to develop oxygenated van, so that live fish can be ferried directly from the farmers to the consumers.

Appreciating the fish farmers of Meghalaya, who have availed the scheme under Aquaculture Mission since 2012, Mukul said, “We should not look at pisciculture for only consumption but take the advantage of the programme to set up entrepreneurial venture for sustained livelihood”.

Talking about food and nutritional security related to pisciculture, Mukul said, “Aquaculture can generate a lot of scope to promote rural and eco-tourism as conservation of fish in the rivers would attract visitors”.

The chief minister directed the fishery department to have a special programme this year for ornamental fish and grant schemes only to motivated partners, saying a lot of positive activities can be linked with Aquaculture Mission.

He cited an example saying “in modern day world we are exposed to a lot of mental and physical stress, so at times we need to disconnect ourselves from our daily activity and anything linked to farming activity is the best way to disconnect”.

Speaking at length on the importance of scientific use of natural resources, Mukul urged the department to encourage the existing fish farmers to adopt scientific approach to improve their production and also look at quality of water of all fish ponds to ensure that fishes were healthy.

He said that investment in fishery sector would open up new employment opportunities and the educated youth should take advantage of the programme.

Highlighting on the difference between food security and nutritional security, Mukul spoke on the need to create awareness among the people on how daily consumption of fish can have positive impact on one’s health.

Director of Fisheries, Ram Singh while delivering the keynote address, informed that the Aqua Fest 2017 was being held in two phases – one week in Garo Hills and one week in Khasi Hills to lay thrust in the fishery sector not only for expansion but also market linkage with focus on allied sectors and to connect the unemployed youth to Aquaculture Mission under Integrated Basin Development and Livelihood Promotion Programme (IBDLP)

The deputy commissioner of West Garo Hills Pravin Bakshi said that the Aqua Fest would be a game changer for aqua-culturists and pisciculturists of Garo hills, saying their production have a promise of organic fish as most of the streams and rivers of the region are residue free.

As part of the weeklong Aqua Fest, activities and competitions like angling, essay writing for school students and workshop on scientific fish culture and marketing strategies were organized and the best fish farmers and best fish sanctuaries were identified and awarded during the function.