Production doubled, still Meghalaya imports 21,000 MT of fish

Fish production has doubled in Meghalaya in the last five years, but it still imports 21,000 MT of fishes annually from Andhra Pradesh and Assam, the Assembly was informed today.

The state produced only 12,330 MT in 2016-17 while the total requirement was about 33,000 MT annually, Fisheries Minister Comingone Ymbon said during the Question Hour.

"About 21,000 MT of fishes is met by importing from Andhra Pradesh and Assam," Ymbon said.

The fisheries minister said the production in the state has more than doubled in five years as it produced only 5,417 MT in 2012-13.

The production gradually increased to 6,040 MT in 2014-15, 11,343 MT in 2015-16, and 12,330 MT in 2016-17.

Admitting that there is a huge gap of demand and supply, Ymbon said the state government is keenly developing existing water bodies and creation of additional water areas.