Imphal: Manipur has achieved significant success in the induced breeding of Meitei Sareng (Wallago attu), with three local fish farmers making groundbreaking progress in aquaculture.
The first major breakthrough came from Chungkham Kopeshwor Singh of Wangoi Makha Leikai, who led a team of Sareng growers.
Following this, Laimujam Dinamani Singh of Tentha Mayai Leikai in Thoubal district successfully hatched Sareng seeds on July 4, in consultation with experts from the Fisheries Department, Manipur. Shortly after, on Saturday, Ningthoujam Basanta Singh of Khordak Ichin, Bishnupur district, replicated this success. Basanta Singh had previously assisted Kopeshwor in the initial breakthrough in late June.
In less than two weeks, these three farmers have set unprecedented milestones in the field. They utilized a combination of Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITK) and scientific methods, facilitated by the Fisheries Department officials, to achieve these results. Notably, there is no widely practiced breeding protocol for Wallago attu, commonly known as Sareng, as aquaculture experts worldwide have yet to develop specific scientific hatchery techniques for this species.
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Expressing his satisfaction, Heisnam Balkrisna Singh, Director of Fisheries, Manipur, hailed the success as a significant milestone in the fisheries world. He announced that the Department of Fisheries will soon develop a standardised breeding protocol and initiate steps for Intellectual Property Rights (IPR).
In recognition of their efforts, the successful Sareng breeders will be honoured during the National Fish Farmers’ Day celebration at the state level on July 10, 2024.
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