States » EastPosted at: Sep 28 2026 9:03PM


Mizoram plans big push for fish, silk production

Aizawl, Sep 28 (UNI) Mizoram is planning a major expansion of its fisheries and sericulture sectors, with the government seeking to raise annual fish production to 20,000 tonnes by 2030 and position the northeastern State as a larger producer of silk.


Chief Minister Lalduhoma reviewed the two sectors separately with officials and ministers, focusing on increasing productivity, improving infrastructure and addressing manpower and other field-level constraints.


Fish production in Mizoram has nearly doubled in five years, rising from 4,304.69 metric tonnes in 2020-21 to 8,020 tonnes in 2025-26. The output currently meets an estimated 58.28 per cent of the State’s fish requirement.


The number of fish farmers has increased from 16,486 to 22,661 over the same period, while average productivity rose from 0.78 tonnes per hectare a year to 1.21 tonnes.


Officials said there was considerable scope for increasing production without creating more ponds by improving productivity in existing fish farms. Mizoram has an estimated 24,000 hectares with potential for fish culture, but only 26.3 per cent is currently being utilised. The government has called for more accurate assessment of the actual potential.


The State has around 6,000 hectares of water bodies, including 16 major rivers, and another 8,000 hectares of major reservoirs, including those at Serlui and Tuirial. Fourteen fish hatcheries are currently operational.


The government is also expanding supporting infrastructure. A Fish Farmer Training Centre is being constructed at Lengpui, while the Centre has approved in principle Rs 50 crore under PMMSY 2.0 for a Fish Marketing Centre. An Integrated Aqua Park has been proposed at Zawlnuam, and plans have been prepared for integrated development of the Serlui-B and Tuirial reservoirs.

A fish cold storage facility at Ngaizel, inaugurated last year, is awaiting more reliable power supply.


The government has also set a target of 20,000 tonnes of annual fish production by 2030. The Fisheries Department has begun preparing a proposal for a dedicated Chief Minister’s Blue
Mizoram Mission to supplement the ongoing PMMSY 2.0 programme.


In sericulture, Mizoram currently has 7,040 farmers and produced 53.826 tonnes of cocoons up to September this year. The government has recently raised its procurement price from Rs 300 to Rs 350 per kg.


Lalduhoma said Mizoram had the potential to become a major silk-producing State and directed the department to prepare a substantial project to realise that potential.
He also called for steps to overcome manpower shortages, including amendments to recruitment rules to facilitate recruitment of field personnel, particularly rearers.


Several centrally supported programmes are already being implemented. The Eri Cocoon and Yarn Production Cluster Development programme covers 120 farmers in Aizawl, Lunglei and Saitual districts. Integrated Muga Sericulture Development covers 70 households in Aizawl and Saitual, while a Comprehensive Mulberry Value Chain Enhancement Project covers 60 farmers.


The government’s Handholding programme has also expanded support to sericulture farmers. Fifty-nine beneficiaries have received CM Special Packages under its first two phases, while 10 have received loans. Around 70 per cent of the beneficiaries have entered the cocoon production stage.


Among them, Hrangngaihkimi of Tawipui North-II received the CM Award 2026 for her performance. Lalchhandami of Tuipui D in Hnahthial district was also conferred the Best Achiever Award for Eri Adopted Seed Rearer by the Central Silk Board at its 77th Foundation Day celebration on September 20.


The government is supporting a sericulture cluster in Saitual through Handholding, while large water tanks have been constructed at two locations to support the cluster. Lalduhoma has also directed officials to submit a proposal for assistance to purchase refrigerators for storing cocoons.


The Chief Minister said the reviews were intended to identify difficulties faced by departments and field officials and find ways to improve implementation, rather than merely identify shortcomings.
He urged officials to communicate their requirements openly and work towards expanding the two sectors as sources of livelihood and economic activity in the State.
UNI ZS BM
Tags: #Mizoram plans big push for fish# silk production
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