Sustainable fisheries and aquaculture development in NE region

    10-May-2022
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Prof Ratan Kumar Saha
Contd from previous issue
There are several constraints to the development of the fishery sector in Manipur. These are categorized as ‘support system constraints’, ‘infrastructural constrains’, ‘financial and technical constraint’, ‘societal constraints’, and ‘extension constraints’. However, some of the major constraints are as follows:
· The inflow of organo-chlorine pesticides and chemical fertilizers used in the agriculture practice in and around the lakes, rivers, ponds, beels, etc. has resulted in the decline of natural stocks of several species of fish.
· Overexploitation and indiscriminate fishing are also the causes of poor fish production.
· The fast growth of aquatic weeds like water hyacinth and other weeds in most of the water bodies and heavy siltation year after year have destroyed the ecology and affected fish production to a great extent.
· Poisoning and poaching, a common problem faced by the farmers.
· Lack of good quality fish seeds (fry/fingerlings) of required size and number at the time of stocking.
· The high cost of inputs like feed, fertilizer and fisheries resources.
· The weak multi-disciplinary approach in fisheries and aquaculture.
· Inadequate attention to the environmental, economic, social and gender issues in fisheries and aquaculture.
· Inadequate HRD and specialized manpower in different disciplines.
· Weak linkages between research and development machinery as well as weak marketing and extension network.
· Poor technology transfer and anthropogenic interventions resulting in loss of biodiversity and the decline in fish catch.
· Age old techniques of production.
· Clandestine introduction and spread of exotic fish species.
· Lack of proper facilities to tackle the issues related to aquatic animal health problems.
· Contamination of indigenous fish germplasm resources, and so on.
2. ‘SMART’ Interventions for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development in Manipur
2.1 What ‘SMART’ Interventions?
Interventions should be smart enough to address the issues for doubling the farmers’ income by 2022 as well as overall sustainable development and self-sufficiency of the sector. ‘SMART’ means, S= Specific, M= Measurable, A= Attainable/Achievable, R= Relevant, and T= Timely which are explained below:
Specific
· Define the goal as much as possible with no nuclear language
· WHO is involved, WHAT do I want to accomplish, WHERE will it be done, WHY am I doing this reasons, purpose, WHICH constraints and /or requirements do I have?
Measurable
· Can you track the progress and measure the outcome?
· How much, how many, how will I know, when my goal is accomplished?
Attainable/achievable
· Is the goal reasonable enough to be accomplished? How so?
· Make sure the goal is not out or reach or below standard performance.
Relevant
· Is the goal worthwhile and will it meet your needs?
· Is each goal consistent with the other goals you have established and fits with your immediate and long-term plans?
(To be contd)