Imphal, November 10: Manipur’s spending on fish brought in from outside the state has dropped below Rs 300 crore this year. Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh now wants local farmers to push that figure down even further.
The Chief Minister set out that goal on Monday at the 47th Annual Fish Fair-cum-Fish Crop Competition 2026 at Hapta Kangjeibung in Imphal. He urged fish farmers to raise output so that more of the state’s demand can be met from its own ponds and waters.
Khemchand said fisheries should play a bigger part in Manipur’s economy and food security, in the same way agriculture does for food grains. Cutting reliance on outside supplies, he said, would need greater effort from both farmers and the Fisheries Department.
To back that push, the Chief Minister announced a subsidy of Rs 3 lakh each for seven selected farmers who rear fish varieties brought in from other states. He also asked that more attention be given to farmers in Imphal East and Imphal West districts to strengthen local production.
He pointed to agriculture as an example. Farmers in the state, he noted, had begun growing paddy twice a year after overcoming earlier shortages of seed. He said he hoped that rising output in both farming and fisheries would further strengthen Manipur’s economy.
Officials say progress is already visible on the ground. Director of Fisheries T Phulen said production of indigenous varieties such as Pengba and Ngaton had improved considerably, helping narrow the gap between demand and supply. Both fish were once available mainly during the Ningol Chakouba season but can now be found all year round, he said.
The fair itself reflects that growth. Organised by the Department of Fisheries as part of the Ningol Chakouba celebrations, it has set a target of selling 2.2 lakh kg of fish this year. Around 200 stalls are showcasing fish and related products brought by farmers from different districts. Phulen said this was more than 50 stalls up on last year. Prize money for the fish crop competition has also been raised from Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 2 lakh.
More funding is on the way. Phulen said the remaining Rs 19 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), already approved by the Centre, was expected to be released by December. The money will be passed on to farmers as soon as it reaches the department.
Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho attended the event as chief guest. Sekmai MLA Heikham Dingo presided over the function, and Phulen attended as guest of honour.
For now, Manipur’s message to its fish farmers is simple: the state has cut its import bill, and it wants local farmers to help bring it down further.