ICAR-NBFGR celebrates National Fish Farmers Day and Fish Ranching

10th July, 2023, Lucknow

ICAR-ICAR-National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources,

Lucknow celebrated National Fish Farmers Day today to commemorate the anniversary of the successful induced breeding of Indian major carps by renowned fishery scientist Dr Hiralal Chaudhury and his colleague Dr Alikunhi in 1957 by injecting carp pituitary hormone extract.

The celebration started with a ranching programme was undertaken in River Gomti near Indira dam at village Chhoti Devaria, district Luknow, Uttar Pradesh wherein over a thousand quality fingerlings of locally important fish species like Labeo rohita, Cirrhinus mrigala, L. gonius, Ompok bimaculatus, L. calbasu and L. bata were ranched for improving the fish biodiversity and riverine health. The freshwater fish species ranched, are common in this region but their population has been found declining over the years due to indiscriminate fishing and growing water pollution.

Dr. A. K. Shasany, Director, CSIR-NBRI, Lucknow, Dr. (Brig.) P. Jaiswal, Head, Army Medical Corps, Lucknow, Dr. U. K. Sarkar, Director, ICAR-NBFGR, Heads of the Divisions, scientists and local fishermen were present on the occasion.

Dr. R. Viswanathan, Director, ICAR-IISR, Lucknow, the Chief Guest of the occasion, emphasized integrated fish farming for increasing farmers’ income.

The Guest of Honour, Dr S. Raizada, Former ADG (Inland Fisheries), ICAR in his address elaborated in detail about various technological developments in the fisheries & aquaculture sector on India and opportunities available for fish farmers in present times.

Dr. Sarkar emphasized the high potential of fish farming and fish entrepreneurship in increasing the farmers’ income through increasing fish production and value addition. He encouraged the farmers, especially youths, to adopt fish farming as their profession and engage others also to help reduce unemployment in rural areas.

Five progressive fish farmers were felicitated for their outstanding achievements in fish farming and also shared their experiences.

Over 200 people including scientists, staff of the institute, over 80 fish farmers/fishermen and fish entrepreneurs from Lucknow and adjoining districts and states participated in the programme.

(ICAR-National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, Lucknow)