ICAR-CIFA observes National Fish Farmers’ Day 2023

10th July 2023, Bhubaneswar

ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, Bhubaneswar observed National Fish Farmers’ Day at its Kausalyaganga campus today. The day is observed in remembrance of scientists Dr K H Alikunhi and Dr H L Chaudhuri who had successfully induced bred one of the carp species on 10th July, 1957. To commemorate this epoch-making discovery National Fish Farmers’ Day is observed throughout the country. This discovery had eventually revolutionized the Indian Aquaculture industry.

The Chief Guest, Dr. N. Thirumala Naik, IAS, State Mission Director-cum-CEO, Department of Mission Shakti, Odisha appreciated the institute for the service it is rendering to the nation and exhorted the scientists to develop customized technology packages for women farmers. He said SHGs have to graduate to thriving enterprises. With over six lakhs SHGs in Odisha and priority leasing of Gram Panchayat tanks given to them, fisheries in Odisha will grow rapidly, added Dr Naik.

The Guest of Honour, Dr B P Mohanty, ADG, ICAR stressed gender mainstreaming in aquaculture. Women need to be actively involved in aquaculture as it supports family’s nutrition as well as economy, he added.  He called for more representation of women in decision-making roles in the aquaculture industry.

Earlier, Dr Pramoda Kumar Sahoo, Director, ICAR-CIFA said the institute has contributed significantly toward the development of breeding and culture of economically important fish and shellfish; use of plastics in aquaculture like FRP portable hatchery, feeder; feeds for different life stages of fish, disease diagnostics kits, improved rohu Jayanti, CIFABROODTM, CIFA GI Scampi, Amrut Catla and other useful technologies for the farmers. The Institute has developed Matsya Setu app to facilitate virtual learning and it has got a user base of 43000 and it’s growing. ICAR -CIFA is committed to its stakeholders and is reaching out to them through Flagship Schemes under the Government of India.

Over 200 farmers especially farm women, progressive farmers, entrepreneurs, and Govt. officials from Odisha and other parts of the country participated and aquaculture experts of the institute had a detailed discussion on various problems faced by the farmers.

Sixteen fish farmers/entrepreneurs from different parts of India were felicitated for their contributions to adopting and promoting ICAR-CIFA technologies across the country. The awardees also shared their experience in fish farming with the audience during Farmers-Scientists interaction held in the afternoon.

Four Regional Research Stations of the Institute located at Vijayawada, Bathinda, Rahara and Bengaluru also observed this important day.

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