ICAR-CIARI virtually celebrates ‘National fish farmers day’ under the ‘Bharat Ka Amrut Mahostav’ initiative

Port Blair, July 11: ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute (CIARI), Port Blair under the government’s flagship initiative ‘Bharat Ka Amrut Mahostav’ to mark 75 years of India’s independence conducted a virtual webinar on the special occasion of National Fish Farmers Day – 2021 on 10th July 2021 during 09- 11 AM. The virtual event was organized under the leadership of Dr Eaknath B. Chakurkar, Director, ICAR-CIARI to commemorate the special occasion and to greet the fish farmers across the archipelago for their invaluable contribution in providing food security and nutrition to the Island communities.

In his introductory remarks, he has remembered the significant contributions of the decorated Indian Scientists, Dr K.H. Alikunhi and Dr H.L. Chaudhury on their successful demonstration of the technology of induced breeding (Hypophysation) in Indian Major Carps on 10th July 1957 and extended his greetings to the fish farmers and other stakeholders of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

The event began with the welcome address by Dr Deepitha RP, scientist who gave an overview of the virtual event which was followed by the technical presentations on the aspects of ‘Nutrition and health management in freshwater aquaculture sector of the Islands’ and ‘Scope and prospects of freshwater ornamental fish culture in the Islands’ delivered by Dr K. Saravanan and Dr J. Praveenraj respectively.

Queries were raised by the fish farmers on the aspects such as pond management, breeding, seed production, water management, the scope for integrated farming systems, backyard ornamental fish culture, self-employment etc which were addressed by the scientists with further critical inputs and suggestions by the Director, ICAR-CIARI. Understanding the importance of the sectoral growth for the benefit of stakeholders, Dr Eaknath B. Chakurkar emphasized the need to promote systematic fish farming practices and also urged the need to promote ornamental fish culture enterprise for the benefit of local stakeholders towards providing livelihood and employment.

He also advised the scientists and extension functionaries to take necessary initiatives in providing manpower training and technical support to the needful stakeholders. The virtual event was moderated by Dr R Kiruba Sankar and the team of scientists from the Division of Fisheries science. A total of 37 participants including the fish farmers and other stakeholders have participated in the virtual event and greeted the special occasion with their valuable presence.

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