ICAR-CIFA organized a Series of “Virtual Stakeholder Consultations for devising Strategies to increase Freshwater Fish Production”

19 - 27 August, 2020, Bhubaneswar

The ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, Bhubaneswar in association with the National Fisheries Development Board, Hyderabad organized a Series of Virtual Stakeholder Consultation Meetings on “Strategies for Freshwater Aquaculture Development under PMMSY” from 19th to 27th August, 2020.

The six-day deliberation facilitated the fruitful dialogues among the different stakeholders and provided a holistic outlook on the freshwater aquaculture sector in the country.

The main objective of the meeting was to find the ways for enhancing the fish production in the country from the present level of 13.7 million tonnes to 22 million tonnes by 2025 through the PMMSY. To ensure the availability of quality brood and seed, species and system diversification, bridging the technology gap, promotion of cluster-based approach through Farmers’ Producers’ Organizations, innovative entrepreneurship models, strengthening the Institutional framework, and capacity building were some of the key issues that were highlighted during the meeting.

Dr. Rajeev Ranjan, I.A.S., Secretary, Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India; Dr. C. Suvarna, I.F.S., Chief Executive, National Fisheries Development Board; Shri Sundeep Kumar Nayak, I.A.S., Managing Director, National Cooperative Development Corporation; Dr. J. Balaji, I.A.S., Joint Secretary, Marine Fisheries, Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India; Shri Sagar Mehra, Joint Secretary, Inland Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India along with Dr. J.K. Jena, Deputy Director General (Fisheries Science), ICAR and Dr. Ashok Kumar Singh, Deputy Director General (Agricultural Extension), ICAR also participated in the meeting.

The various issues and constraints limiting the development of freshwater aquaculture in the country were also discussed.

(Source: ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, Bhubaneswar)