Trends in Fish Production of Assam: An Analysis.

Abstract

Besides Agriculture, Fish farming is one of the main occupations in the North-Eastern state of Assam. 10.5% of the geographical area is occupied by surface water bodies, in which 6503 sq km is held by the river systems including the mighty Brahmaputra and 1748 sq km by natural wetlands including seasonal and permanent waterlogged, marshy areas and both natural and man-made reservoirs, ponds and tanks of size more than 2.5 ha. There has been a tremendous increase in production, from 1.90 lakh tones in 2007-08 to 3.06 lakh in 2016-17. The state has shown 1.58 times increase in fish production from 2005 to 2017 which is higher than the country’s increase in production during the same period. The fish seed production of Assam is 5678 million nos. for the 2015-16 year. Although the state is endowed with abundant water bodies, it continues to reel from shortfall of fish supply. The present production is 2.94 lakh tonnes. However, the demand is 3.36 lakh tonnes a year. The optimal utilization of the available water resources in the state can boost fish production tremendously. Another solution to augment fish production can be by replacing traditional methods with scientific techniques. Spreading awareness and extending assistance to the fish farmers will further enhance the production.