The monthly requirement of fish for consumption in Assam is over 37,000 metric tonnes (MT), of which around 98% is produced here in the state, said fisheries minister Parimal Suklabaidya in the assembly on Wednesday. The minister, while replying to a question raised by All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) MLA from Jania assembly constituency, Rafiqul Islam, told the house that the total estimated monthly requirement of fish in the state is 37,469 MT.
The minister added that around 90% of the total population of the state consumes fish. “The average monthly production of fish was over 36,000 MT during 2022-23. The state purchased over 2,000 MT fish every month from other states in 2022-23,” he added. He said state govt has taken several steps to increase the production of fish in the state and minimise purchase from other states.
“The department of fisheries has implemented different schemes, including Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana in order to enhance the infrastructure system that are related to the fish production of the state,” he added. The minister said various support or assistance for construction of Fin Fish Hatchery, construction of new rearing pond, fish farming, integrated fish farming, fingerling stocking in wetlands and rivers, cage culture and carp polyculture among others have been provided to the fish producers by govt in the last two years.
“Besides, steps have been taken to upgrade the infrastructure of the existing departmental fish farms so that more and more fish production can be achieved and thereby, the quantity of fish purchased from outside the state can be minimised,” he added. Meanwhile, the minister, while responding to a question raised by Congress MLA Rekibuddin Ahmed, told the house that there are 2,072 beels (wetlands) in the state, of which 186 are registered under the Assam Fisheries Development Corporation Ltd and 261 under the revenue department. “The remaining 1,625 beels are not registered under any department from where revenue is collected till date,” he added.