National Consultative Meet on Roadmap for Dissemination of Genetically Improved Varieties of Fish and Shellfish

27th January 2023, Bhubaneswar

National Consultative Meet on Roadmap for Dissemination of Genetically Improved varieties of Fish and Shellfish organized by ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, Bhubaneswar was inaugurated here today.

The aim of the meet is to deliberate on the current status of ongoing genetic improvement programs, sharing of experiences by research groups, and develop a road map for the dissemination of improved strains within and outside India.

Dr. J. K. Jena, Deputy Director General (Fisheries Science) inaugurated the consultation. He spoke about the Improved Rohu (trademarked as Jayanti), CIFA GI Scampi and GI Catla developed by ICAR-CIFA, Bhubaneswar which have distinct yield advantages. Dr Jena also said that CIFA has also developed AhR-Jayanti for Aeromonas hydrophila resistance in rohu. Genetic improvement work is underway at CIFE, Mumbai and CIBA, Chennai for Magur and Shrimp respectively, informed Dr Jena. He emphasized that these improved strains need wide-scale dissemination so that farmers and entrepreneurs are benefitted.

Shri Sagar Mehra, Joint Secretary, Department of Fisheries, Govt of India also graced the inaugural session and emphasized the mass scale availability of the improved varieties of fish and shellfish. He said both horizontal and vertical expansion of aquaculture production is required to realize the potentials of blue revolution. Under the flagship scheme, Prime Minister Matsya Sampada Yojana, quality fish seed production and distribution is prioritized, said Shri Mehra.

The other guests who spoke on this occasion were Dr. C.N. Ravishankar, Director and Vice Chancellor, ICAR CIFE, Mumbai; Dr. C. Vasudevappa, Former Vice Chancellor, NIFTEM, Sonipat, Haryana; Dr. A. G. Ponniah. Former Director, IACR-CIBA and   ICAR-NBFGR and current rohu program leader Dr. K.D. Mohapatra, Principal Scientist, ICAR-CIFA.

Earlier Dr. P. K. Sahoo, Director, ICAR-CIFA urged for inputs from the experts in designing a robust dissemination strategy for the improved varieties for increasing aquaculture production and productivity.

Heads of ICAR fisheries research institutes; representatives from NFDB; World Fish; Rajiv Gandhi Centre of Aquaculture and Dr. M.V. Gupta, World Food Prize laureate attended the programme.

Representative from State Departments of Fisheries, entrepreneurs having signed MoU as multiplier unit, for dissemination of improved strains also took part.

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