Advisor, Fisheries & Aquatic Resources, A Pangjung Jamir with others during the distribution of 20 motorcycles with ice box to unemployed youths in Kohima on September 13. (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | September 13
In a welcome development, the Department of Fisheries & Aquatic Resources, Kohima today distributed 20 motorcycles with ice box to 20 unemployed youths to encourage sustainable fish business in Nagaland.
This is a centrally sponsored programme under the banner of Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) for the year 2022-23.
Gracing the distribution ceremony, A Pangjung Jamir, Advisor, Fisheries & Aquatic Resources, Nagaland said that the department of Fisheries & Aquatic Resources is implementing this CSS programme of PMMSY which was launched on September 10, 2020.
“This programme has historically enhanced fish farming and production nationally which is also a major boost on ecological health and targets economically viable and socially inclusive growth that contributes meaningfully towards the economic prosperity for the fish farmers of the nation,” the advisor said.
The National Fish Production for the year 2022-23 stands at 174 lakh metric tons which is 81% higher when compared to 2013-14 production leaving India as the third largest fish producing country in the global market and the revenue through export of seafood has been brought up to a worth of Rs. 57,586.48 crores.
Sustainable self-employment for fish farmers
Jamir said that fish is an extremely perishable food commodity as the harvested fish cannot be stored for long period unless frozen and stored in deep freezers or cold storage and for which the department have come up with the idea to provide motorcycle with ice box which was provided to the unemployed youths of the state to encourage sustainable fish business.
The Advisor said that the main objective of this program is to generate sustainable self-employment for fish farmers and entrepreneurs by assisting them in marketing produces from fish farms and to procure better fish transport facilities to prevent severe spoilage of fish and also to provide good quality fishes fit for human consumption and mishandling of fishes directly to the consumers.
“This plan is also set on a target to supply fishes even in the interior areas where four wheelers are not permissible as our North-Eastern region especially our state is mostly covered by hilly terrain and almost all the fishery ponds are constructed and maintained in the low land areas where we don't have good connectivity roads hence, leaving two wheelers as the best option for collection and distribution.
The Advisor asked all the beneficiaries to utilize this given opportunity with dedication and also follow proper directives given by the department as the vision is to encourage a successful and sustainable fish business for daily livelihood.
Lotimenba, Additional Director of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources said that to make fish available to consumers in hygienic condition at the right time, it requires an effective marketing system involving the fish transport facilities.
The purpose of distributing motorcycles with ice-box is to avoid losses due to spoilage and to transport the fishes from harvest area to kiosks/markets and also to distant locations where fish can be sold and fetch better prices for the producers as well as for the traders.
The Department has already distributed 2 motorcycles on trial basis from the fund availed during the year 2020-21.
“Seeing the success of its uses, the department proposed for 20 numbers of motorcycles during the year 2022-23 and the Ministry was gracious enough to provide the same to the department.
The pattern of funding is 60:40 where central and state together contributed 60% of the cost and the beneficiary contributed 40% cost.
“We encourage the beneficiaries to utilize the motorcycles only for the sole purpose of selling fishes as mentioned in the MoU and try to provide best services to the general public,” said Lotimenba.
Fisheries & AR director Rongsennungba said that the beneficiaries are from all over the state.
