Imphal: Following a recent breakthrough in induced breeding of Sareng, a series of successes in the breeding of Meitei Sareng (Wallago attu) have been reported in Manipur. This achievement was initially led by Chungkham Kopeshwor Singh of Wangoi Makha Leikai.
On July 4, Laimujam Dinamani Singh of Tentha Mayai Leikai in Thoubal District reached a significant milestone by successfully hatching Sareng seeds with the guidance of fisheries experts from the Fisheries Department, Manipur.
Similarly, on the following Saturday, Ningthoujam Basanta Singh of Khordak Ichin, Bishnupur District, replicated this success. Basanta Singh had previously assisted Kopeshwor in the historic breakthrough in late June this year. Within less than two weeks, three Sareng farmers have achieved unprecedented milestones in aquaculture.
Local fish farmers have combined Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITK) with scientific methods, supported by officials from the Fisheries Department of Manipur, to perform the breeding. Notably, there is no widely practiced breeding protocol for Wallago attu, commonly known as Sareng, as specific scientific hatchery techniques have yet to be prescribed or developed by aquaculture experts worldwide.
Heisnam Balkrisna Singh, Director of Fisheries, Manipur, expressed his joy over the success of the Sareng Project, noting that the farmers’ achievements in induced breeding represent a significant milestone in the fisheries sector.
He announced that the Department of Fisheries will soon develop a standardized breeding protocol and initiate Intellectual Property Rights (IPR). Additionally, he revealed that the successful Sareng breeders would be honored during the National Fish Farmers’ Day celebration at the state level on July 10, 2024, in recognition of their consistent efforts and hard work.
