Prof Ratan Kumar Saha
Contd from previous issue
7. Production and Propagation of Freshwater Prawn and other Prawns in Manipur
8. Establishment of fish Farms in Hill districts: Creation of multipurpose water harvesting structures with High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) lining. It is the most common field fabricated geomembrane material with low initial material cost, durable and excellent chemical resistance. This will fulfil the local demand during the rainy season as well as in dry season.
9. Documentation of Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITKS) in fisheries and Aquaculture.
2.1.3 Long-term smart interventions
1. Development of Database on fisheries: a serious limitation in the growth of the fishery sector is a very poor database. Efforts should be made so that a detail and reliable date on various parameters on fishery is maintained at the block level.
2. Agritourism Farm/aqua-tourism Farm: This type of ventures with a central focus on fisheries should be encouraged by the govt. to attract the potential youth by framing sound policies.
3. Appropriate Policy Intervention is necessary from respective state governments to impress upon the leaseholder so that they not only exploit the harvest but also maintain the and manage the water bodies and rivers.
4. Establishment of Endemic Ornamental Fish Culture Centres.
5. Establishment of Weed Fishes/Small Fishes (Puti, Moka, Murrels, Eels etc.) culture farm.
6. Establishment of Culture-based fisheries in pats (1 tone/ha/year).
7. Better Provision of Institutional Credit.
8. Marketing Support system: Marketing support system should be created to attract and encourage young entrepreneurs to start aquaculture venture and on the other hand, it will provide better market realization.
9. Conservation of Declining Indigenous endangered Fish Species: Some conservation measures of the commercial important endangered species viz, Tor species and medium carps etc. should be initiated by the fisheries dept., Govt. of Manipur.
10. Setting up of a hygienic fish market/extension of cold chain facilities with the provision of insulated boxes to fish vendors in the state.
11. Development of cold-water fisheries in the Hill districts of Manipur: Hill districts of Manipur have got the privilege of having numerous rivers, streams, rivulets etc. comprising more than 8000 ha of water are available: for the culture of cold-water fishes by constructing hatcheries/farms and mini dams wherever necessary.
12. Development of Reservoir/Canal fisheries: The scheme envisages the development of reservoir fisheries and canal for production cum beautification at the interest of the public by adopting scientific management of the reservoirs and canal.
13. Development of Infrastructure for Preservation and Value Addition of fishes.
14. Development of Infrastructure for Transportation and Marketing of fish.
15. Establishment of State Fish Aquarium and Museum: To display the colorful fish amusement and educational interest.
Conclusion
The planners, as well as the implementing agencies and stakeholders, should take note of all these things with all sincerity and dedication for the overall development of the sector in a holistic manner. On the basis of priority and need-based, above mentioned short, medium and long-term planning flexibly can be decided for implementation. Further, one should do the ‘SWOT’ analysis before implementing or executing any of the ‘smart interventions’ as mentioned above in a particular area/region in view of sustainability and success of such project.
The writer is Dean, College of Fisheries, CAU, Lembucherra, Tripura Central Agricultural University, Imphal, Manipur
For further details contact:- Public Relations& Media Management Cell, CAU, Imphal. Email:
[email protected]