Kohima gets its first eco carp hatchery

Our Correspondent
Kohima, Aug. 2 (EMN): In an effort to make Kohima district and the neighbouring areas self-sufficient and to develop the fisheries sector, the department of Fisheries & Aquatic Resources on Friday introduced the first eco carp hatchery in Kohima district at Dzü-ü valley, around 20 km away from the State’s capital city.

The eco carp hatchery was inaugurated by Kevisa Kense, director of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, in the presence of special guest Er. Keviletuo Yiese, chief engineer (Retd.) of Power department, and other department officials.

The new eco carp hatchery, a project under the centrally sponsored scheme (CSS) of the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), was introduced to meet the requirements of fish farming in Kohima and Phek districts.

Delivering the keynote address during the programme, the scheme in-charge Neitho-o Kuotsu, who is also the deputy director of the department, assured that the concerned department will render its best to assist the beneficiaries in producing quality fish seeds.

“Fish seed is a pre-requisite activity for fish farming,” Kuotsu said, maintaining that there has been a shortfall in fish seeds production both in Kohima and Phek districts.

Citing the risk involved in transporting fish seeds from Dimapur and beyond, Kuotsu expressed the necessity of having an eco carp hatchery in Kohima district, which he felt, will immensely boost the development and advancement of fishing sector in the area.

Kense said that it’s time Naga people concentrate and invest their time on fish cultivation. Stating that there is nothing more profitable than fishery under agri and allied sector, he observed that fishery sector will immensely help the Nagas to prosper economically in the near future.

“We have to involve in fish cultivation with the target to make it an economic value,” he said while lamenting that Nagas are yet to see the brighter side of the story when it comes to fishery.

Kense informed that the concerned department has forwarded a proposal of INR 130 crore to the ministry of Fisheries and Animal Husbandry for development of fisheries in the State. While Nagaland has a potential area of around 30,000 hectares for fisheries, he informed that the department has developed more than 3000 hectares so far. He also said that fishery can help boost the economy of the state if the farmers take it up wholeheartedly.

Yiese, in his address, urged the department officials to continue to promote and develop fish cultivation in the State. He also advised the beneficiaries to seize the opportunity when the government gives assistance.

The programme was chaired by Ketusielie Angami, deputy director of fisheries and Aquatic Resources.