Shillong: In a significant push towards self-sufficiency in fish production, the Meghalaya government has greenlit a Rs 10 crore allocation for the construction of 35 new fish hatcheries. Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma unveiled this initiative on March 6, signaling a major expansion of the state’s aquaculture infrastructure.
The forthcoming construction will augment the existing network, bringing the total number of hatcheries in Meghalaya to 96. Currently, the state’s 61 operational hatcheries contribute 24.7 million fingerlings annually. This expansion is aimed at significantly increasing this output.
Sangma emphasized the tangible results of the state’s aquaculture mission, noting a substantial surge in fish production. From a previous output of 4,000 metric tons, Meghalaya now produces 20,000 metric tons of fish. However, the state’s demand stands at 32,000 metric tons, necessitating the import of 12,000 metric tons to meet consumer needs.
To close this supply-demand gap, the government has outlined plans for a new, ambitious aquaculture mission. This initiative will require an additional 4,000 hectares of land to achieve complete self-reliance in fish production for the state.
Further detailing the government’s efforts, Fisheries Minister AL Hek disclosed that between 2020 and 2024, a total of 3,230 fishery ponds have been developed across various schemes. These projects were sanctioned with a total budget of Rs 976.82 crore, demonstrating the government’s substantial investment in the sector.
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