Director of Fisheries, A L Mawlong, on October 17 informed that the state’s fish production has gone up to more than 50 per cent of the target set by the government. Speaking at the State Aqua Fest, organised by the Department of Fisheries, Mawlong informed that the state now produces around 19000 MT of fish per year against the target of 32000 MT annually.
According to her, till 2011 when the State Aquaculture Mission was started, Meghalaya produced only 4000 MT tons of fish annually. “But due to the help rendered by the state and the central governments and with the cooperation of the fish farmers we have been able to achieve more than 50 per cent of our target,” Mawlong said.
She also informed the government has set up new technologies to ensure scientific production of fish in the state. The Director of Fisheries also said that it is a golden opportunity that St. Anthony’s College has a course in Pisciculture adding that she recently met the graduates and urged them to work together with the government and become fish farmers.
She added that in this way these youths will be gainfully employed and not depend on government jobs. Meanwhile, Secretary of Fisheries Department, SC Sadhu said that although the state has seen a four-fold increase in fish production but there is still a long way to go in becoming self-sufficient not only in fish production but in various other inputs required like, fish feed, raw materials, training the farmers in terms of modern practices, understanding the challenges of supply chain of fish and its value addition. “So that the ultimate objective of achieving nutritional security in our state and at the same time bringing more income to our fish farmers which is the objective of all these programmes can be achieved in the long run,” Sadhu added.