Our Reporter
Dimapur, June 4 (EMN): Advisorfor Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Evaluation, Economic and Statistic, L Khumo Khiamniungan, inaugurated a first of its kind ‘Ice plant-cum-cold storage’ at the Training Centre Brooders Fish Farm, Half Nagarjan, Dimapur, on June 4.
Speaking at the inauguration programme, Khumo acknowledged NABARD for funding the project and lauded the department officials for carrying out the ground work diligently. He also urged the employees to take upon the department as their own instead of viewing themselves as mere employees.
The advisor also recalled how few farmers, with the help of the department, were able to transform their lives whose sole source of income was agriculture.
The director of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Rongsennungba, stated that the ‘Ice plant-cum-cold storage’ facility was a much needed project for the department. He has termed ‘unfortunate’ as Nagaland does not have facility for quality fresh fish in the market due to lack of post harvest infrastructures.
In order to provide sustainable livelihood for fish farmers, Rongsennungba has suggested availability of post-harvest infrastructure. In this regard, he stated the department would try to provide facilities at a 50% subsidised rate to the fish farmers.
Tiakala Ao, general manager of NABARD, Dimapur, remarked that agriculture is still the primary source of livelihood for 70% of the state's population. As the practice of agriculture was insufficient to generate surplus income, she opined that fish farming could elevate their income. She stated that only 10% of fishery potentiality in Nagaland has been developed so far. She, therefore, urged the gathering not to focus solely on fish production but also to prioritise the establishment of fish hatcheries.
While highlighting a brief report of the project, the joint director of Fisheries and Animal Husbandry, Ketusielie Angami, stated that the "Ice plant-cum-cold storage" project was funded under negotiated loan from NABARD during 2020-21 at a cost of INR 146.85 lakh. He added that the state's share of 5% was still awaited.
The three metric tonnes (MT) capacities ice plant was commissioned in the month of March 2022 and is targeted to meet the requirements of local fish dealers and fish vendors of Kohima, Chümoukedima, Niuland and Kohima districts.