Despite being unable to obtain service charges from the GOI, the apex body of fisheries cooperatives- Fishcopfed opened its 9th office at Imphal, Manipur last week. This is the second office of Fishcopfed in the North eastern state.
Sharing the news with Indian Cooperative, Fishcopfed MD B K Mishra said, “Manipur has a huge potential for fisheries development. The Department of Fisheries, Govt. of Manipur has provided the office space”.
“In addition to the office, one aqua shop shall be operational from the Directorate to provide quality fishery inputs to the fish farmers of Manipur at competitive rates. Besides fisheries cooperative development, Fishcopfed shall focus on the smooth implementation of PMSBY and PMJJBY Schemes in the State”, he underlined.
The federation has also participated in the Annual Fish Mela. The presence of Fishcopfed in the state was well appreciated by the Minister of Fisheries, Govt of Manipur, said Mishra to this correspondent.
Now fishcopfed has its offices in all the north east states and these offices will extend technology training to fish farmers in order to increase their production capacity.
During the launching the Fisheries Minister and the Addl. Chief Secretary of the State were also present.
It bears recall that the federation failed to get service charges of Rs 2 crore from the govt which has been pending for the past seven years.
Earlier in 2017, Agriculture Ministry has asked the fishery cooperative body to open their offices in each state without providing for financial resources.
Fishcopfed has its offices in states like Assam, Bihar, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu.
Mishra reiterated his view that the enhanced contribution of Fishcopfed can play an important role in ushering in Blue Revolution in India.
In last financial year 2018-19 fishcopfed provided insurance cover under a PMSBY policy through Oriental Insurance Company Ltd to 30,39,374 fishermen from 24 states and 5 Union Territories.