Beyond India’s coastlines, Manipur showcases how fish is heritage and sustenance, proving that the national call for “Blue Transformation” holds deep relevance even for a landlocked state rooted in vibrant aquatic traditions.
By Rameshori Yumnam
When the world celebrates “World Fisheries Day” each year on 21 November, the focus often lands on coastlines, harbours and bustling marine markets. But far away from the ocean, nestled in the hills of Northeast India, lies a state where fish is not merely food, it is heritage, identity, memory and emotion. This year’s national theme, “India’s Blue Transformation: Strengthening Value Addition in Seafood Exports,” may sound like an agenda for coastal giants. Yet for Manipur, a small, landlocked, deeply fish-loving state, the theme carries a message of renewal, a reminder that fish is central to both nutritional security and economic resilience.
Today, Manipur stands at a crossroads. With rising demand, changing climate patterns and scientific gaps in aquaculture, the question is simple:
Can Manipur produce enough fish for itself?
The answer depends on how boldly the state embraces the promise of its waters.
Why World Fisheries Day matters?
Fish is recognised globally as one of the most efficient and high-quality sources of protein, providing all essential amino acids required for human growth and health. Scientifically, fish protein is highly digestible and superior in biological value compared to many plant and animal proteins. Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins (A, D, B12), amino acids like lysine, methionine, tryptophan and minerals such as calcium, iodine and selenium, fish contributes to improved brain development, cardiovascular health and overall immunity. Its low saturated fat content makes it an ideal dietary protein, particularly in regions with high rates of lifestyle diseases. For nutritionally vulnerable populations, including children, pregnant women and the elderly, regular fish consumption is associated with better health outcomes. International organisations including FAO are calling for a rapid “blue transformation” of aquatic food systems, with targets such as large increases in sustainable aquaculture by 2030, to meet rising demand and food security challenges. Science, better value-chains and post-harvest handling are central to that shift. In states like Manipur, where fish is already a cultural staple, strengthening fish availability is not just an economic priority but a scientific and nutritional necessity.
The Manipur Paradox: A Fish-Eating People with a Fish Deficit
If we walk through Ima Market, Nupi Keithel, or any other local bazaars, one thing becomes instantly clear – people queue first for fish. Whether it is Ngaton, Pengba, Sareng, Rou, Grass carp or the likes an even ngari, fish remains a staple across communities. Without ngari and nga ayaiba, preparing a dish like kangsoi feels nearly impossible, these flavors are the heart of our kitchen. Yet, despite this deep cultural bond, Manipur faces a structural gap:
- Annual demand: ~ 52,000 tonnes
- Annual production: ~33,000 tonnes (Handbook of Fisheries, 2023)
- Deficit: ~19,000 tonnes or more
With fish consumption rising and local production unable to meet demand, Manipur imports nearly 19,000 tonnes of fish every year. At an average price of ₹250 per kg, this translates to a staggering ₹475 crore leaving the state annually with money that could otherwise support local farmers, youth entrepreneurs and the rural economy. This means a significant share of the fish, Manipuris consume travels hundreds of kilometres before reaching the table. In other words, Manipur is a fish-consuming state but not yet a fish-producing one.
Where the Real Problem Lies?
Manipur’s fisheries sector continues to lag behind its true potential due to a cluster of interconnected challenges. Many of the valley ponds and fishery farms still follow traditional culture practices with low stocking density, irregular feeding and little or no aeration, resulting in yields far below what science-based farming can achieve. The quality of the seed and feed system further compounds the issue, farmers lack access to reliable, high-quality fish seed, and imported seed often arrives stressed, diseased or with high transport mortality. Water quality fluctuations, especially during seasonal temperature shifts, combined with organic waste accumulation, frequently trigger disease outbreaks that discourage farmers from intensifying production. Post-harvest losses remain another major bottleneck despite Manipur’s rich culinary heritage, from ngari to smoked fish, poor drying techniques, lack of hygienic fermentation units, proper packaging or cold storage prevent these products from scaling beyond small artisanal levels. Adding to this is the vast, untapped potential of the state’s wetlands, lakes and hill water systems, many of which remain unmanaged, overexploited or used without scientific planning. Together, these gaps form the core obstacles that must be addressed to unlock Manipur’s true fisheries potential.
The Untapped Treasure: Manipur’s Aquatic Potential
Manipur’s aquatic resources remain one of its most underutilised strengths, despite the state’s rich diversity of water bodies ranging from ponds and major wetlands like Loktak, Pumlen, Waithou, etc. to hill streams and irrigation reservoirs. With scientific planning, each of these can contribute significantly to the state’s fish requirement. Productivity in valley ponds and farms can be rapidly improved through composite carp culture, pellet feeding, aeration, liming and scheduled stocking–harvesting practices. The vast wetlands offer scope for culture-based fisheries through cage and pen culture and the scientific enhancement of native species. The hill districts, with their cold, clear streams, are suitable for high-value species and paddy-cum-fish systems, while modern technologies such as RAS, biofloc and aquaponics provide new opportunities for high-density production in space-limited urban areas. Strengthening value addition, particularly hygienic processing and packaging of traditional products like ngari, hentak, smoked and dried fish, remains the missing link that can transform livelihoods and build a resilient fisheries economy for Manipur.
The Road Ahead: Science, Community, and Resilience
For Manipur to move from chronic fish deficit to true self-reliance, a coordinated and science-driven approach is essential. The state urgently needs a stronger hatchery network to ensure reliable seed supply, wider adoption of scientific feed and farming practices, and regular training programmes for farmers and youth to build technical capacity. Equally important is investment in cold-chain infrastructure to reduce post-harvest losses, along with community-led management of wetlands to restore productivity and sustainability. As climate variability intensifies, developing climate-resilient aquaculture systems will be critical for long-term stability. This transition is more than an agricultural upgrade, it represents a broader social and cultural renewal for a fish-loving state like Manipur.
Manipur’s Blue Future
Manipur’s bond with fish goes back centuries. From the traditional fishing gears used in the phumshangs of Loktak to the cold water species rich, icy streams of Ukhrul and colder Districts, the state’s waters carry both heritage and promise. World Fisheries Day 2025 serves as a reminder that as the world embraces a Blue Transformation, Manipur too must attune itself to its waterways, responding with scientific insight, innovative approaches, and strong community participation.
Fish is not merely caught or cultured here.
It is lived, shared, celebrated and passed on.
The future of Manipur’s fisheries lies not in the quantity of water it holds, but in how wisely, sustainably and scientifically it uses it.