February 21, 2024

Assam, India, produces most of its fish for local consumption, says fisheries minister

The monthly requirement of fish for consumption in Assam, India, is 37,469 metric tonnes, of which around 98% is produced in the state, said fisheries minister Parimal Suklabaidya in the Indian assembly last week.

The minister added that around 90% of the total population of Assam consumes fish.

"The average monthly production of fish was over 36,000 metric tonnes during 2022-23," he added. "The state purchased over 2,000 metric tonnes fish every month from other states in 2022-23."

According to Suklabaidya, the Assam government has taken several steps to increase the production of fish in the state and minimise purchase from other states.

  
"The department of fisheries has implemented different schemes, including Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana in order to enhance the infrastructure system that are related to the fish production of the state," he said. "...steps have been taken to upgrade the infrastructure of the existing departmental fish farms so that more and more fish production can be achieved and thereby, the quantity of fish purchased from outside the state can be minimised."

- The Times of India