Shri George Kurian visits ICAR-CIFRI, Barrackpore to Review Fisheries Research and Advancements
Shri George Kurian visits ICAR-CIFRI, Barrackpore to Review Fisheries Research and Advancements

21st January 2025, Barrackpore

Shri George Kurian, Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, visited the ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute today to review ongoing research and developments in the fisheries sector.

As part of his visit, Shri Kurian participated in the Ganga River Ranching programme by releasing 0.58 lakh advanced fingerlings of Indian Major Carp species, including Gibelion catla, Labeo rohita, Cirrhinus mrigala, and Bata (Labeo bata), into the Ganges at Gandhi Ghat, Barrackpore. His involvement in this initiative highlights the government’s commitment to preserving the ecological balance of sacred rivers and promoting sustainable fisheries practices. The release of the fingerlings marks an important step toward enhancing the Ganga’s aquatic biodiversity.

Shri George Kurian visits ICAR-CIFRI, Barrackpore to Review Fisheries Research and Advancements  Shri George Kurian visits ICAR-CIFRI, Barrackpore to Review Fisheries Research and Advancements

The Minister also visited ICAR-CIFRI’s state-of-the-art laboratories and witnessed a demonstration of Drone Technology in Fisheries Applications. During the demonstration, he interacted with fish farmers, local fishers, and researchers, encouraging the expansion of drone-based applications to enhance accessibility for fish farmers.

A key part of the visit was Shri Kurian's interaction with 125 fisherwomen from the Sunderbans, particularly from the Basanti Block of South 24 Parganas. He discussed the challenges posed by natural calamities and highlighted government support to improve livelihoods. He also emphasized adopting sustainable practices and utilizing new technologies to boost productivity.

Shri Kurian further engaged with trainee officials from the Department of Fisheries, Government of Odisha, underscoring the importance of skill development and knowledge exchange for the sector’s growth. He noted the remarkable increase in India’s fish production over the past decade, from 95.79 lakh tons to 175.45 lakh tons, and spoke about the government’s initiatives like PMMSY to further boost the sector.

Shri George Kurian visits ICAR-CIFRI, Barrackpore to Review Fisheries Research and Advancements  Shri George Kurian visits ICAR-CIFRI, Barrackpore to Review Fisheries Research and Advancements

The Minister commended ICAR-CIFRI’s contributions in developing transformative technologies, such as HDPE-pen and cage culture, that have modernized fisheries and made them more sustainable. He also praised the institute’s collaboration with local communities to improve fisher families' livelihoods and conserve aquatic biodiversity.

Concluding the visit, Shri Kurian conveyed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a developed India by 2047, urging fish farmers to increase their income by leveraging government schemes like PMMSY and NABARD. He lauded ICAR-CIFRI for its technological advancements and support for the fisheries community.

Dr Basanta Kumar Das, Director, ICAR-CIFRI, spoke about the Union Fisheries Department's efforts in advancing inland fisheries and outlined the institute’s future plans.

The institute also showcased its products and technologies during the event.

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

×