Aizawl: Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, George Kurian, landed in Mizoram on Friday, May 24, on a mission to bolster the state’s burgeoning fisheries sector. His whirlwind tour underscored the Centre’s keen interest in transforming Mizoram into a vibrant aquaculture hub.
The Minister’s itinerary included crucial inspections of private fish ponds and a thorough review of the proposed site for the Fish Farmers’ Training Centre under the North Eastern Council (NEC) at the Laldenga Fisheries Demonstration Farm in Lengpui. These visits aimed to assess the ground realities and identify areas ripe for strategic intervention.
Department officials presented a comprehensive overview of the challenges faced by local fish farmers, passionately advocating for critical project proposals. Among these, the establishment of an Integrated Aqua Park at Zawlnuam, Mamit, emerged as a key demand, promising to be a game-changer for regional aquatic farming.
Responding to the concerns, Kurian underscored the pivotal role of the Equity Grant under the Fish Farmers Producer Organisation (FFPO) scheme, emphasising its potential to inject much-needed financial impetus into the sector. He also championed the idea of local production of fish feed through startups, envisioning a self-reliant ecosystem. The Minister assured the deployment of central officers to spearhead awareness and outreach programmes, ensuring that government schemes reach every deserving farmer.
Reaffirming the Centre’s unwavering commitment to the Northeast, Kurian articulated Mizoram’s immense potential for fisheries development, highlighting that a substantial 26.5 per cent of the identified 24,000 hectares is perfectly suited for aquaculture. This statistic paints a promising picture for the state’s economic future.
In Aizawl, the Minister also took the opportunity to visit the Ornamental Fish Rearing Units at Khatla, which have been designated as Sales Outlets under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). This flagship scheme, he noted, is a testament to the government’s resolve to modernise the fisheries sector through sustainable practices and robust value chain development.
Kurian’s arrival was met with a warm welcome from the Mizoram Volleyball Association at the airport, adding a touch of local hospitality to his official visit. He is scheduled to attend the Pro Volleyball League at LPS Arena in Falkland tonight before his departure for New Delhi on Saturday, May 25.
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