The Myanmar Fish Breeding Entrepreneurs Association (MFBEA) is pushing for imports of Rohu fingerlings from India through a Government-to-Government (G-to-G) pact.
The MFBEA made its request to the Fisheries Department at the fisheries sector entrepreneurs’ regular meeting (11/2019), held on 28 June at the Myanmar Fisheries Federation in Yangon. “In India, they are raising Rohu species. Currently, they are breeding Rohu fingerlings. We want to know if we can import the Rohu fingerlings as it will be very convenient for fish breeders. Our entrepreneurs don’t have permission to import Rohu fingerlings. Only the Fisheries Deparment can grant the permission to import them under a G-to-G system,” said Dr. Myint Swe, the Vice Chairman of the Myanmar Fish Breeding Entrepreneurs Association.
“Rohu fingerlings raised by the Freshwater Fish Research Department in India are 1.5 times larger than the Myanmar Rohu species. Myanmar also plans to implement new breeding technology for the fingerlings,” he said.
“If we have permission to import the fingerlings, bred using new technology, it will be good for us. India mainly focuses on breeding of Rohu fish, and so, they can raise the species. They also know whether their fish are infected with disease or not. India has imported fish breeding technology from Norway.
The new generation of Rohu fish can be bred every three years. The weight of the Rohu fish has increased from 1 viss to 1.5 viss. If we can breed that kind of fish, we will benefit,” said U Win Kyaing, general secretary, Myanmar Fisheries Federation.
To import Rohu fingerlings from India, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation will have to submit a proposal, said U Hla Htay, the Deputy Head of the Yangon Region Fisheries Department. Moreover, fish breeders need to understand the breeding technology and the market before importing the species from India, he added.
By Aye Yamone(Translated by Hay Mar)
