Manipur's fish fair boosts local fish production amidst Ningol Chakouba celebrations

The Directorate of Fisheries organised the 45th State Level Fish Fair-cum-Fish Crop Competition 2024 at Hapta Kangjeibung, Imphal East, a day ahead of the Ningol Chakouba festival. 

Various fish species, including Catla, Rohu, Mrigal, Common Carp, Grass Carp, Silver Carp, and local fish like Pengba, Ngaton, and Sareng, were available. Around 180 stalls were set up, attracting many people eager to buy fresh fish for the festival.

The Director of the Fishery Department, Balkrishna Heisnam, stated that this year, the department aims to produce 1.5 lakh kg of fish. Last year, due to the ongoing crisis, the fish fair was not held, and Ningol Chakouba was not celebrated. 

In 2022, the department surpassed its target of 1 lakh kg by producing 1.27 lakh kg of fish. With this success, the department decided to increase the target to 1.5 lakh kg.

Heisnam also mentioned the production of indigenous fish like Pengba. However, Sareng fish was not widely available as larger specimens are being kept for breeding to increase production for future festivals. He highlighted the challenges faced by fish farmers due to recurring floods and the ongoing crisis, but their resilience and hard work ensured the target was met.

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Heisnam noted that fish is a staple food in Manipur, and the state often imports fish to meet demand. However, in the last five years, local production has increased. While the state requires around 53 MT of fish annually, it now produces between 35 to 40 MT, up from 25 MT five years ago.

Chief guest Leishemba Sanajaoba spoke about the significance of Ningol Chakouba, a unique festival of the Meitei community celebrating brother-sister bonds since the time of Nongda Lairen Pakhangba.

Despite recent violence, he urged people to observe the festival, albeit on a low scale. He emphasised the importance of fish in Meitei culture, noting its use in ceremonies from birth to death and the need for the state to become self-reliant in fish production.

Leishemba extended wishes to internally displaced people, acknowledging the crisis but urging resilience. The event was attended by Rajya Sabha MP Leishemba Sanajaoba, Fisheries Minister Heikham Dingo, and LDA Chairman Moirangthem Asnikumar, among others.