Imphal : Three fish farmers of Manipur have been conferred with the Best Farmer Award by various fisheries institutes in recognition of their outstanding contributions towards the development of fisheries in Manipur on the occasion of this year’s National Fish Farmers Day held on 10th July.

Kabi Meitei Naorem of Uchiwa village, Kakching District was felicitated by ICAR – Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (CIFRI), Barrackpore, Kolkata with Best Fish Farmer, 2024.

Rockson Kashung of Chadong village, Kamjong District was honoured as the Best Fish Farmer award by the College of Fisheries, Lembucherra, Tripura under Central Agriculture University, Imphal and ICAR – Directorate of Coldwater Fisheries Research, Bhimtal, Uttarakhand awarded Phungkhaijai Mahung Khuiya of Kaziphung, Hungpung, Ukhrul District with Progressive Fish Farmer Award, 2024.

Kabi Meitei is an established fish breeder having experience and skill in breeding indigenous fish species of Manipur which are highly prized and cherished by the local populace like Ngaton, Ngakra and Ukabi (Anabas Testudineus).

The State Fisheries Department has already provided him with a Breeding unit under the financial assistance scheme of the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), Hyderabad.

Rockson Kashung is a progressive fish farmer from Chadong village who has popularized cage culture in the upstream water bodies of Mapithel Reservoir. Following the submergence of his native village and agricultural land due to the construction of Mapithel Dam, he initiated cage culture as an alternative livelihood for displaced villagers.

Presently, Rockson manages 24 units of cage culture by rearing exotic carps (grass carp, silver carp, common carp), big head, rohu, puntius sarana, etc. and generating income and employment for local people.

Phungkhaijai M. Khuiya of Kaziphung village is also a progressive fish farmer who has specialized in the breeding of carp seeds at Nungsangkhong village of Ukhrul District.

His contribution to seed production and supply to farmers from the hatchery unit established under the Blue Revolution scheme implemented by the State Fishery Department and holding of Fishing Mela, an annual gala event for propagation and popularization of fishery amongst the Tangkhul community is outstanding.

Recently, he started the Cold Water fishery in Ukhrul District for the first time in Manipur by culturing rare indigenous Ngara fish, which is accustomed to rivers in high altitudes with cold climates.

Heisnam Balkrisna Singh, Director of Fisheries, Manipur expressed happiness for the breaking news which serves as a hat trick in the fisheries sector wherein the efforts and contributions of state fish farmers as well as contributions of the State Fisheries Department have been acknowledged by the most reputed fisheries institutes.