Bhubaneswar: The ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture observed the 17th National Fish Farmers’ Day at its Kausalyaganga campus here on 10th July 2017. The day is commemorated in remembrance of scientists Dr K H Alikunhi and Dr. H.L. Chaudhury who had invented induced breeding technology on this day way back in 1957. Addressing the gathering, ICAR-CIFA Director (Acting) Dr. J K Sundaray said the invention is hailed as a landmark achievement in the history of fishery in India and abroad. During the last 3 decades of devoted research, the institute has contributed significantly toward development for breeding and culture of economically important fish and shellfish, use of plastics in aquaculture like FRP portable hatchery, feeds for different life stages of fish, disease diagnostics kits, improved rohu Jayanti, CIFABROODTM, Hybridization detection kit and other useful technologies for the farmers.
Swami Atmapriyananda, Vice Chancellor, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda University, Belur, W.B. was the Chief guest on this occasion. Swamiji termed farmers’ profession as a glorious one as a farmer never tries to mask his identity. Before a place of steaming rice is served in plate a thousand invisible hands had contributed to this. Let us acknowledge and thank the providers of food. He urged the people assembled to celebrate fish farmer day today to start giving back to the society in whatever form it is possible for them. He quoted Albert Einstein “Every day I remind myself that my inner and outer life are based on the labors of other men, living and dead, and that I must exert myself in order to give in the same measure as I have received and am still receiving.”
Swami Shivapurnananda, Academic Coordinator, RMVU, Belur,W.B. was guest of honour on this occasion. He highlighted how fisheries can contribute to rural livelihood security especially for the people at the bottom of the pyramid. He added that you cannot be happy unless your neighbors are happy. Sri U. K. V. N. Raju, Chairman, Ananda Group, Bhimavaram, A.P. laid emphasis on value addition looking at the shifting consumer behavior. Benefits of eating fish also needs to be disseminated to create more demand for fish and fisheries products. Dr. Manoj Sharma, Director, Mayank Aquaculture Pvt. Ltd., Surat, Gujarat graced the occasion as a special guest. He elaborated how he built up his aquaculture venture with annual turnover of Rs. 100 crores. He encouraged the farmers and farmwomen that it is possible to make such ventures successful in Orissa too. Strong determination, personal involvement and urge to help to others are the some of qualities required to be a successful entrepreneur.
Around 60 fish farmers from Odisha and other parts of the country were present at the event. Thirteen fish farmers from different parts of India were felicitated for their contributions to the development of freshwater aquaculture. The awardees also shared their experience in fish farming with the audience. A few publications and CD were also released. A scientist-farmer interaction session was also organized on the theme ‘doubling farmer’s income’. Dr. S.K. Swain, Principal Scientist, proposed the vote of thanks. It is also being celebrated in five regional regional stations located at Anand, Gujarat; Bhatinda,Punjab; Bengaluru,Karnataka; Rahara, West Bengal and Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh.
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