Imphal: Rohendro Salam, a progressive fish farmer, has made history in Sareng breeding at his farm pond in Laphupat Tera village, Imphal West District. Emulating other successful Sareng breeders, Rohendro combined Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITK) with scientific methods for induced breeding.
Rohendro’s achievement in Sareng hatchery builds on the initial breakthroughs by Chungkham Kopeshwor Singh of Wangoi Makha Leikai, Laimujam Dinamani Singh of Tentha Mayai Leikai, and Ningthoujam Basanta Singh of Khordak Ichin.
A pioneer in Sareng culture in Manipur, Rohendro gained prominence after Chief Minister N. Biren Singh announced the revival of Sareng (Wallago attu) in 2021. Rohendro previously won first prize in the State Level Fish Fair, 2021, organized by the Department of Fisheries, Manipur, for producing the highest quantity of fish species at the event.
The College of Fisheries, Lembucherra, Tripura Government, awarded him the Haricharan Das Best Progressive Fish Farmer Award in 2022. In 2023, he received the ICAR Farmer Innovative Award in Umiam, Meghalaya, for his outstanding contribution to the revival of Sareng in Manipur.
Heisnam Balkrisna Singh, Director of Fisheries, Manipur, announced that Rohendro Salam will be honored during the celebration of National Fish Farmers’ Day on July 10, 2024, in recognition of his achievements in induced breeding of Meitei Sareng, alongside other successful fish farmers.
