Kurian visits Mizoram fish ponds, harps on local prodn of feed

Aizawl: Union minister of state for minority affairs and fisheries, animal husbandry & dairying George Kurian on Saturday highlighted equity grant under the Fish Farmers Producer Organisation (FFPO) to resolve the financial challenges faced by fish farmers and suggested local production to address the challenges related to fish feed acquisition that could be in the form of start-ups.

Kurian arrived at Lengpui airport near Aizawl on Saturday and visited private fish ponds in Lengpui village as well as the proposed site for the Fish Farmers' Training Centre under the North Eastern Council (NEC) and Laldenga Fisheries Demonstration Farm at Lengpui.

On this occasion, the state fisheries minister Lalthansanga and state department officials, who had received him at the airport and accompanied him in his visits conveyed the challenges faced by fish farmers in Mizoram, and sought Kurian's approval for project proposals submitted to the central govt for the development of fisheries, including one for the Integrated Aqua Park at Zawlnuam in Mamit district bordering Tripura and Assam.

Kurian emphasised on the need to make fish farmers aware of govt schemes catered to them, and assured the officials that he would send officers to conduct outreach programmes. He stated that the central govt gives priority to the states in the northeast, and that Mizoram has potential for development in the fisheries sector. He was informed by the department officials that 26.5% of 24,000 hectares of land in the state is suitable for aquaculture.