Local fish production meets 98% needs: Min

Guwahati: Assam, one of the most fish-consuming states, requires about 40,000 metric tonnes (MT) of fish every month, with over 98% produced within the state.
This has come to light after the fishery department minister Keshab Mahanta replied to a query raised by Congress MLA Jakir Hussain Sikdar on Friday.
The minister said Assam produced 4.43 lakh MTs of fish in 2022-23 against a required 4.5 lakh MTs and 4.74 lakh MTs in 2023-24 against a required 4.8 lakh MTs.
To meet the shortfall, Assam procures fish from other states, including Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Bihar.
Data provided by the minister shows that the state procured over 18,000 MTs in the last financial year, over 26,000 MTs in 2022-23, over 22,000 MTs in 2021-22, over 12,000 MTs in 2020-21, over 20,000 MTs in 2019-20, and 12,000 MTs in 2018-19.
The state govt has taken several steps to increase fish production and minimise purchases from other states, he added.
“The department has implemented different schemes, including the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, to enhance infrastructure related to fish production,” he said.
The minister said govt has provided support for the construction of fin fish hatcheries, new rearing ponds, fish farming, integrated fish farming, fingerling stocking in wetlands and rivers, cage culture, and carp polyculture over the past two years.
“Besides, steps have been taken to upgrade the infrastructure of existing departmental fish farms to boost fish production,” he added.
The minister said the department has provided scientific fish farming training to 4,650 fish farmers so far this year.
Regarding the strength of the fishery department, Mahanta said 130 out of 346 sanctioned posts of gazetted officers are currently vacant, while 250 out of 787 non-gazetted officers’ posts are vacant. However, the process for filling these positions is underway.