The Fisheries Department of Tripura has embarked on an ambitious mission to make the state self-sufficient in fish production, as outlined by Fisheries Minister Sudhangshu Das during a review meeting at the Directorate of Fisheries in the state capital on Thursday. The meeting aimed to assess the department’s progress and address key issues related to fish production.
Minister Das emphasized the urgent need to balance the demand and production of fish within the state, expressing concerns over Tripura’s heavy reliance on fish imports. He presented a comprehensive roadmap to enhance local production, with officials from all eight districts in attendance.
“The primary aim of this meeting is to review the work done according to the set targets and the budget of the 2023-24 fiscal year. We need to identify shortcomings and develop plans to achieve our goals,” Das stated. The meeting, initially delayed due to the Lok Sabha elections, has now set a clear directive for officials to work diligently and focus on the targets.
Tripura currently faces a significant shortfall in fish production, necessitating the import of 15-20 thousand metric tons of fish annually. Addressing this issue, Das highlighted the challenges ahead: “Making the state self-sufficient in fish production is a big challenge. However, we are committed to overcoming it.”
To tackle this challenge, the minister announced the commencement of fish production work in the Haoarmia area in Unakoti district, a project sanctioned for the 2023-24 fiscal year. Additionally, four new locations have been identified for future fish cultivation.
Das urged the department officials to adopt a mission-mode approach to fulfill the expectations of the people of Tripura. “We must work together to ensure that our state no longer depends on external sources for fish,” he concluded.
