Economics of Value Addition in Fish in Manipur State of India: Empirical Analysis

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Economics of Value Addition in Fish in Manipur State of India: Empirical Analysis

Fishery is a significant sector of the Indian economy from the point of view of food supplies, foreign exchange and also for its potential to generate employment.

The North Eastern (NE) region of India has been recognized as a global hot spot of fresh water bodies. The annual growth rate of fish production in NE India registered a positive growth over the years indicating a healthy trend. The fish production of Manipur is mostly contributed by the Loktak Lake which is the largest freshwater lake in NE India. Population of Manipur consumes fish in various forms which includes fermented, sun dried, smoked, pickles, freshly cooked. Keeping in view present research paper in an overview to assess the value addition at each stage of marketing of fish of Loktak Lake. A sample of 60 numbers of fishermen and 10 numbers of different intermediaries were taken into consideration for this research. A standard analytical technique has been employed to analyze the data to draw in inferences from the results. The findings of the paper demonstrated that the local trader -cum- retailer earned a huge profit which was higher than the profit earned by the fishermen. Therefore, the study recommends encouraging the maximum involvement of fishermen in value addition process at their level to harvest the higher profits. The state fish department must lead to encourage the fishermen with latest tools and techniques for value addition.

Fish is considered as the cheapest source of high quality animal protein that can be produced easily for human consumption. It is highly recommended for children, pregnant women and adults because of its high level protein, digestibility and lack of cholesterols, preventive resource for heart attack or failure and stroke. As a whole, fish provides essential nutrition for over one billion people including at least 50 per cent of the animal protein for 400 million people from the poorest countries.

Hence, it is concluded that majority of the intermediaries in the study area performed the value addition (smoked) of fish before the produce reached to the ultimate consumer. Although the all fishermen of Loktak Lake could not take an advantage of value addition due to less resources with them. Therefore, involving all fishermen in value addition of fish may be an emerging opportunity to enhance the due share in consumers’ rupee. The local trader cum retailer earned a profit huge profit which was comparatively higher than the profit earned by the fishermen. Again it may be due to less accessible to technical knowhow of value addition by the fishermen. Therefore, the study recommends encouraging the maximum involvement of fishermen in value addition process at their level to harvest the higher profits. The state fish department must lead to encourage the fishermen with latest tools and techniques for value addition.

With Regards,

Editorial Assistant

Journal of Fisheries Research

Email: fisheriesres@scholarcentral.org