Digapahandi: ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture under its Tribal Sub-Plan Programme and in collaboration with State Fisheries Department, Ganjam Zone, Berhampur conducted the Tribal School Students’ Meet on “Fish as Health Food” at Sarakari Ashram School, Badapalli village of Digapahandi block in Ganjam District, Odisha on 20 April, 2018. More than 350 students from seven nearby schools namely K. Colony PUPS, Krushna Krupamayapur PS, Chanabagada PS, Mulakotapalli PS, Tinigharia PS, Ambapur PS participated in the meet with their teachers. Awareness was created among the students through direct discussions with Scientists and Technical Officers of ICAR-CIFA, and State Fisheries Officers on the theme subject in the morning hours of the day. Around 150 officials from various line departments, ICAR-CIFA, local public representatives and few parents attended the function.
Dr. K.N. Mahanta, Principal Scientist & Director’s Representative, ICAR-CIFA, Bhubaneswar in his presidential address highlighted the role of fish culture for livelihood development and nutritional security of tribal population of the country, and being the cheap animal protein source, fish should be included in the food menu of all. Er. Siddharth Sankar Swain (IAS), Hon’ble Sub-Collector, Berhampur as the Chief Guest of the function inaugurated the meet and applauded the role of CIFA for selecting such a remote place like Badapalli of Ganjam District for giving the message of “Fish as Health Food” to the public. He said that the awareness created among the school students on the theme subject is praise worthy. He and all functionaries of the function agreed that fish should be included in the mid-day meal programme of the school students.
Dr. B.C. Mohapatra, Principal Scientist and Chairman, TSP, ICAR-CIFA welcomed the participants and guests to the function. He highlighted the role of the institute in demonstrating freshwater aquaculture technologies to the selected tribal population of the country and the aim of the present programme being held for school students. He said that such type of unique programme of ICAR-CIFA was conducted for the first time for 416 students at Gayaganda of Jagannath Prasad Block, Ganjam on 24 March 2018 and the second one is being conducted at the remote place like Badapalli. Shri Pratap Chandra Pradhan, Block Development Officer and Tahasildar (I/c), Digapahandi thanked CIFA for organizing this unique programme in his Block. He encouraged the students to eat fish as animal protein source to them.
Shri Bidya Bhusan Mohanty, Addl. District Welfare Officer, Ganjam said that such programmes should be organized in many places of the state to pass this noble idea to all. Shri Ram Chandra Patnaik, District Agriculture Officer, Digapahandi added that students should come forward to make their school proud for them in future. Shri Siba Narayana Sahu, Joint Secretary, F&ARD, Govt. of Odisha highly appreciated the programme. Shri S.P. Bhoi, Deputy Director of Fisheries, Ganjam Zone expressed his interest to join the hands with CIFA for popularization of such innovative programmes in the region. Smt. Jasobanti Sahu, CDPO, Digapahandi and Smt. Laxmi Sethi, Sarpanch, Badadumula were also present on the dais. Shri Nikhil Kumar Moharana, Asst. Fisheries Officer, Digapahandi coordinated the programme and proposed the vote of thanks.
A leaflet on “Fish as Health Food” in English language was released during the meet. The students conducted a public rally in the village prior to the programme in order to spread the awareness for health benefits of eating fish.
From ICAR-CIFA Technical Officers Mr. D.P. Rath, Mr. S.K. Mohanty, Mr. B.C. Das and Mr. D. Majhi and from State Fisheries Department Smt. Suchismita Priyadarsini, AFO (O/o DFO, Ganjam), Miss. Flora Mohanty & Diptimayee Behera, AFOs were the resource persons in the programme.
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