Fish farmer turns into mascot in Meghalaya

Shillong, Jul 29 (UNI) Winderson Sangma (50) has become a sort of mascot for the farmers in Meghalaya, for being a force of inspiration behind opting for fish hatcheries.

Mr Sangma, a resident of nondescript hamlet in East Garo Hills district, is the only farmer in the state to have 17 fisheries ponds. And that too, without any assistance from the state government.

After his success story reached Bhubaneswar, Orissa's Fisheries Department officials have come all the way to Dawagre for studying and emulating him in their state.

''The smallest pond is around half an acre and can breed 2,000 fishes approximately ,'' Meghalaya Fisheries department Director F G Momin said, eulogising Mr Sangma for successfully demonstrating hatchery as a great business proposition for the farmers.

State Chief Secretary Ranjan Chatterjee also visited Mr Sangma's residence yesterday and surveyed the 17 fish ponds as a part of his official tour to underdeveloped Garo Hills areas.

''I have visited the ponds. The government would like the farmers in Meghalaya to follow Mr Sangma's success story,'' Mr Chatterjee told UNI over phone from Williamnagar.

Apart from pisciculture, Mr Sangma is also known for his success in the horticulture products' trade.

Meanwhile, the state Fisheries Department has asked his department to collect all the data related to Mr Sangma's hatcheries, Mr Chatterjee said.

''After collecting the data, it will ask farmers to adopt his methodology for breeding fishes,'' he added.

UNI RRK SB KK RD BDP RN1106