People as well as Manipur government authorities were Friday relieved after fish farmers came up with over 85,000 kg of fishes in the fish fair cum fish crop competition organized every year on the eve of Ningol Chakouba. The Ningol Chakouba, the biggest and unique non-religious festival of Manipur in which married women are invited in their parental houses for a special feast will be celebrating on Saturday. The festival which was earlier concentrated only to the Meitei community is expanding with other communities settling in the state too joined and enjoyed the festival in the last few years. With fish being the main curry of the special feast to be prepared in each family, authorities of Manipur government as well as people had apprehension of shortfall in supply of fish this years as most of the fish farms were feared damaged by the frequent floods during the last rainy season. The state government was worried about the possible shortage of fish as the state faced flash flood for five times in the last couple of months. With this expectation and encouraging the fish farmers, chief minister N Biren Singh had even announced cash award for the fish farmer who produced most in the fish fair this year. However, on seeing the fish farmers coming up with large quantity of fish from their farm, it appeared that there would be no dearth of fish in this year’s Ningol Chakkouba. In the fish fair cum fish crop competition organized by the state fishery department at Hapta Kangjeibung, Imphal, it was estimated that over 85,000 kg of fishes were produced by the fish farmers. On seeing the quantity of the fish displayed at the fair, state commissioner (Fisheries) Thaithuilung Panmei said, despite repeated flood this year, farmers managed to produce more fish than the expected quantity. It showed that fish production has considerably been increased in the state, he added. State deputy chief minister Y Joykumar who opened the fair said government was trying to develop water bodies as a measure to control flood and to develop fisheries in the state. The deputy chief minister said, Development of wetlands and water bodies and also rain water harvesting are the key areas where proper system need to be introduced so that fisheries can be made successful in the state. He added that water bodies in the state have to be developed as a measure to control flood and also to use as reservoirs where fisheries can be practiced. Singh said that fisheries can easily be practiced as a means of livelihood and employment generation of people. Majority of us preferred fish. Fish is an important food of the people of the state. Fish production has to be increased so as to meet the growing demand. Natural habitats as well as artificial habitats have also need to be developed to encourage indigenous fish farming in the state, he said. He added that streams mostly in the hilly areas have to be developed where fish culture can be practiced easily. Commissioner of fisheries Thaithuilung Panmei said that despite repeated flood in the state this year, fish production has considerably been increased. In fact, the relentless effort made by the farmers made it possible and it is an encouraging step, he said. He added, fishery department has been trying to develop fisheries upto the level that export of fish to the neighbouring states after meeting the state’s requirements can be made possible. Over 85,000 kilograms of fish were produce in today’s fair-cum-competition. As announced earlier by the chief minister, cash awards of Rs one lakh will be given to the highest producer of fish, Rs 75,000 and Rs 50,000 respectively to the second highest and third highest producer. An award of Rs 20,000 will also be given to the highest producer of indigenous fishes.