4-5th November, 2022, Mumbai
ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai, jointly with National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), brought together Directors and representatives of as many as 25 State/UT DoF on a single platform to discuss developmental challenges and identify actionable strategies. The two-day consultative meeting ‘Directors Conclave: Energising Pathways for Fisheries Development’ held at ICAR-CIFE during 4-5th November 2022 reignited the leaders and senior executives of the state fisheries departments as well as the R&D community.
Calling it a path breaking meeting, Shri Jatindra Nath Swain, Secretary, Department of Fisheries, Government of India urged the Directors and their representatives of State Fisheries Departments present to strengthen the extension system and reorient the development support to achieve the ambitious targets set under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMSSY) by 2025.
Dr. J.K Jena, Deputy Director General (Fisheries Science), Chief Guest on the occasion, underscored the key role of R&D in bridging the development gap in fisheries sector, showcased the strength of ICAR fisheries institutions, and invited the state DoFs for regular dialogue for mutual benefit. He assured ICAR’s complete support for state fisheries departments.
Dr. Ravishankar C.N., Director / Vice-Chancellor, ICAR-CIFE highlighted the indispensable nature of partnership among research-academia-developmental agencies to further sustainable fisheries agenda, and the long history of CIFE working closely with State Departments in building capacities, policy advocacy, and customised R&D support.
Dr. N.P. Sahu, Joint Director, ICAR-CIFE made a lead presentation on fisheries development status and challenges in the country / states.
Dr. L. Narasimh Murthy briefed about NFDB’s recent initiatives to promote biofloc, RAS and ornamental fish units, National Seed Action Plan and the establishment of GIFT tilapia and Pangasius hatcheries, river ranching program, mapping of fisheries cooperatives, etc. while sharing success stories under PMMSY. Invited experts
Dr. Dilip Kumar, Former Director, ICAR-CIFE, Dr. Pravin Putra, Former ADG, (FS), ICAR, and Dr. M. M. Bazaz, Former JD, DoF, J&K, in their initial remarks, underscored the uniqueness of this meeting wherein CIFE, along with NFDB, has brought together all the heads of state fisheries departments providing an informal platform to informally interact, network and enrich each other’s development experience, while also identify challenges and options to revitalise the journey of fisheries development across India.
Directors / Joint Directors of State DoFs actively participated in the meeting.
On the second day, Shri. J.N. Swain, Secretary, DoF was the Chief Guest and Deputy Director General (Fisheries Science) was the Guest of Honour.
Shri. Swain urged to strengthen the extension system in state fisheries departments for effective delivery of development support. Drawing parallels from Bangladesh model of cost-effective development, he stressed upon the advantages of having a generalist village level worker (VLW) for grassroots convergence of developmental efforts. He positively assured the States that many of the PMMSY implementation related challenges will be immediately addressed. Citing Andhra’s experience, he urged the states to identify key aggregators and facilitate them in driving the development engine particularly in strengthening cold storage and market infra for fisheries. He desired that states organise exposure visits, with NFDB/DoF support, to sites of success stories for replication across the country, while urging the R&D system to work together with DoFs to identify innovative practices farmers and practices and validate them for larger adoption.
The meeting was attended by 28 State/UT DoF Directors / their official Representatives and Senior Officers from NFDB, representatives from FSI, two industry representatives, three invited experts, and 42 Scientists from ICAR-CIFE and ICAR-CMFRI Mumbai Centre also attended the meeting.
(Source: ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai)
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