Ornamental Fish Unit in Bhadrak, Odisha inaugurated

24^th October, 2020, Bhadrak, Odisha

The ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, Barrackpore, Kolkata established an Ornamental Fish Culture Unit at Ramakrishna Sevashram, Bhadrak, Odisha for Scheduled Caste women of the different villages of Bhadrak, Odisha under the Scheduled Caste Sub Plan Programme. The Unit was inaugurated by Dr. B.K. Das, Director, ICAR-CIFRI, Barrackpore, Kolkata and Swami Shri Ashrananda, Centre Head, Ramakrishna Sevashram, Bhadrak, Odisha today.

In his inaugural address, Dr. Das highlighted the Ornamental Fish Culture’s importance and opportunity. He also outlined benefits for earning an alternative income and increasing the earning basket from the sector for the rural women.

The Ramakrishna Sevashram also conducted a seven-day training programme 18^th to 24^th October, 2020 prior to establishment of the Unit for strengthening the theoretical and practical skills of SC Women for Ornamental Fish Culture through learning by doing practical demonstrations and class room sessions. In the first phase, the Institute provided 25 fish holding tanks of 350 L capacity along with Ornamental Fish, plants, medicines, heaters, air blowers and pipes to the SC Women.

The programme was jointly organized by ICAR-CIFRI, Rotary Club, Bhubaneswar Royal, Odisha and Ramakrishna Sevashram, Bhadrak, Odisha.

The programme was aimed at empowering the Scheduled Caste Women and making them self-employed by providing alternative sources of income.

(Source: ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, Barrackpore, Kolkata)