Farmers’ Meeting and Awareness Programme on Scientific Aquaculture held
Morung Express News
Kiphire | June 27
ICAR-Central institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, Bhubaneswar in collaboration with Fisheries department, Government of Nagaland under Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) Program organised Farmers’ Meeting and Awareness Programme on Scientific Aquaculture at DC Conference Hall, Kiphire on June 27.
Delivering welcome address, Dr. BC Mahapatra, Chairman, TSP Program ICAR-CIFA informed that Kiphire as an Aspirational district declared by NITI Aayog is one of the district selected out of 39 districts from across India under TSP Program.
He said under the TSP Program, Kiphire will be given special attention in the field of fisheries by carrying out extensive research to help farmers increase fish production. He also asked the department of Fisheries to write to National Fish Development Board (NFDB) and avail assistance under NFDB under which selected fisheries farmers can be trained in ICAR-CIFA Centers.
Speaking as the chief guest, Deputy Commissioner, Mohammed Ali Shihab, IAS Kiphire said imparting scientific knowledge to fisheries farmers will be a catalyst of change, which will directly help in high production of fish thus ultimately boosting the rural economy.
DC said Kiphire been uniquely blessed with rich natural resources, with rivers flowing all around, he urged upon the visiting officials of ICAR-CIFA to prepare a blue-print for a rapid development in fisheries sector in Kiphire assuring of all help and cooperation from the district administration.
Need to address lack of facilities Commenting on the problems faced by fisheries farmers, the DC requested the Fisheries department to make arrangements for providing cold storage and setting up of hatchery unit in Kiphire to mitigate the problems that farmers encountered.
Making an observation that Kiphire produces one of the finest qualities of fish in Nagaland, DC felt special attention is needed to improve and increase the production of fish that will be economically beneficial to the farmers’ community of Kiphire.
ICAR-CIFA to provide practical assistance
Dr.B.N Paul, Co-ordinator, Nagaland TSP Program, ICAR-CIFA introducing the programme stated that the main purpose is to address the problem faced by the fisheries farmers where practical assistance will be given. He further added that according to the logistics problems faced by the fisheries community, future programmes will be designed to solve the problem.
Delivering the presidential address Dr. S.S. Mishra Director, ICAR-CIFA said aquaculture is known to bring jobs and infrastructure, particularly in isolated rural areas which provide self sustaining economy. He maintained the goal of aquaculture is not only providing nutritional and food security, but also creating opportunities for entrepreneurship, income generation, self-employment, trade and commence.
Aquaculture perspective in Kiphire
Briefly highlighting the Aquaculture Perspective in Kiphire, Mhomo Murray SDFO Kiphire mentioned that fish seedlings provided to Kiphire is not enough even at subsidized rate as the demand is extremely high, he said this is because most fish seedlings die during transportation. He pointed out that unless one or more fish hatchery units is set up in Kiphire, problems faced by the fisheries farmers in availing fish seedlings would continue to persist.
Dr. K. Ezung, PC KVK Kiphire, speaking about the Krsihi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) role in aquaculture development stated that KVKs main role is the production and supply of good quality seeds and planting materials, livestock, poultry and fisheries breeds and various bio-products to the farming community. He further added that apart from transferring new technologies to farmers KVKs also undertake vocational training and on farm testing of technologies.
At the programme 15 fisheries farmers were also felicitated by ICAR-CIFA. The programme was followed by interaction between Scientists and Farmers.
