Our Correspondent
Kohima, August 23 (EMN): While stating that the requirement of fish in the State has been on the rise over the past few years, Agriculture Production Commissioner (APC), T Imkonglemba Ao, has urged the Fishery Department and all concerned stakeholders to make the best use of the available water resources in order to meet the requirements.
Speaking at the inaugural programme of the two-day skill up-gradation programme organised by the Department of Fisheries on “Recent advances in development of agriculture and fisheries” at Hotel Japfü today, the APC, who was the chief guest, observed that the State has always been on the deficit in terms of meeting the demands of fish consumers.
“The State has always been on the deficit in terms of fish requirement. Therefore, a paradigm shift is needed to increase the fish productivity in the State. Keep in mind that you and I are called for to meet the requirement of fish in the State,” the APC said and stressed the need for a better coordination between the fisheries department and farmers.
“If fish farming has to grow, we (department) need to educate the farmers, empower them and be the facilitators. The delivery system has to be extended to the doorstep,” Imkonglemba said underlining the role of coordination as ‘very important’ in order to make a progress.
The APC also told the fishery department officers and staff to collaborate with other departments in order to make the best use of the available water resources in expanding fishery farming across the State.
Dr. Ranendra Kumar Majumdar, professor & HOD, College of Fisheries, Central Agricultural University, Tripura, who was here as a resource person for the two days training, underscored the need for fullest utilisation of the available resources.
“States of North East India are less populated as compared to the rest of the country. If we can harness our own resources efficiently, it will not be impossible to feed our people by our produce. So fullest utilisation of our resources is the need of the hour,” said Dr. Majumdar.
While underlining the need to develop an entrepreneurial attitude for the unemployed youth, he further stated the need to push for large scale commercial production and their export possibilities to other states.
“As for the unemployed youth, only financial provisions like bank loans will not be sufficient. Simultaneously, we have to provide technology to them so that they can improve their livelihood with the help of these new and productive technologies,” Dr. Majumdar said and encouraged the Fishery department to play a lead role in this aspect.
Secretary of Fishery department, T Mhabemo Yanthan, while stating that an interaction such as this will go a long way in sustaining our economy, urged all concerned to contribute positively for the welfare of the Naga society.
“Time has come to put things in the right perspective and to teach the fishing community to make a living out of this,” Yanthan added.
Delivering the keynote address, Kevisa Kense, Director of Fisheries, said the skill up-gradation programme aims to reach out the stakeholders and the fishing community with the knowledge of the latest technologies available.
“Until and unless we go with the latest technology, we will be behind,” Kense said adding “it is important to have knowledge on the technical know-how.”
To the fish farmers, while informing that the centre has banned the creation of new water bodies for three years, the Director told them to utilise available resources to the fullest.
On the day, the award for the “Best fish farmer” of Nagaland State, which was arranged by the College of Fisheries, Central Agricultural University, Tripura, was handed over to Kevilezo Kense. The said award was given to the best fish farmers of all the NE states on July 10, 2017; however, it was informed that the recipient from Nagaland could not make it to the function on that day.
The other resource persons of the two-day event are Dr. Himadri Saha, Assistant Professor, College of Fisheries, CAU, Tripura; Dr. Sanjay Kumar Das, principal scientist & head of Fisheries division, ICAR Barapani complex, Umiam, Meghalaya; and Dr. Sushanta Borthakur, professor, College of Fisheries, Assam Agricultural University.
The programme, chaired by C Imtitongzuk Longkumer, Additional Director of Fisheries, commenced with prayer pronounced by Mhonchumo S Lotha, associate pastor of Kohima Lotha Baptist Church. The vote of thanks was tendered by Neitho-o Kuotsu, deputy director of Fisheries, Nagaland.
