Report by Orissadiary correspondent; Bhubaneswar: Induced breeding of fish paved the way for large-scale availability of seed of desired species. Dr. Hiralal Chaudhury and Dr. K.H.Alikunhi accomplished this technological feat on 10 July in 1957. To mark the occasion, the Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, a constituent of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (an autonomous body under Ministry of Agriculture, Govt. of India) celebrated National Fish Farmers’ day on its campus today. India today is the third largest fish producing country in the world, with a total production of 7.13 million tones fish. The sector also fetches foreign currency worth Rs. 8000 crores informed Dr.A.E.Eknath, Director CIFA. He presented an overview of institute’s technologies pertaining to carps, prawn, ornamental fish, magur and different products developed by it. He laid emphasis on ‘out reach’ activity so that fruits of research are made accessible to farming community.

Mrs. Usha Padhi, IAS, Director, Mission Shakti and chief guest of the function, expressed happiness that women fish farmers are also active in fisheries. Fish is highly essential for women and lactating mothers. She informed that women SHGs are being given priority while leasing out water bodies. Mission Shakti, the nodal agency for social and economic empowerment of women has created a massive Social Capital of 3,80,000 SHGs with over 45,00,000 members. While the traditional enterprises like plate making, candle making, papad making often face the problem of marketing, Fish that is in high demand, face no such problem. She urged that women Self Help Groups are trained in different aspects of aquaculture including value addition and processing.  According to a survey 40% of total farmers in India are no longer interested in Agriculture. She urged the researchers present on the occasion to lay focus not only on raising productivity but also to make farming more profitable.

Over 300 persons comprising fish farmers, farmwomen, researchers, students and general public participated in the programme. Farmers were exposed to various facilities of the Institute viz., Fish farm, hatcheries, feed mill, aquarium, Agricultural Technology Information Centre etc. Sets of farm literature in Oriya language were distributed among the farmers.

During the farmers’ meet held as a part of the celebration, the scientists addressed farmers’ queries on various aspects of freshwater aquaculture in local language. Nine fish farmers from Khurda, Bargarh and Puri who have adopted institute’s technologies and thereby providing leadership in the community were felicitated on the occasion.  Sri Mihir Sagar of  Bargarh who adopted portable hatchery developed by CIFA said that ‘the hatchery has been of great help for farmer in distant and inaccessible areas’. Ch. Narasimha Rao of Vijaywada, Andhra  Pradesh who is now producing design pearls with the technical help from CIFA, was felicitated today. Four aqua-farmers trained and guided by Krishi Vigyan Kendras of Khurda and Puri were also felicitated by the Institute. Dr. Balram Behera, Coordinator (I/C), KVK and Dr. S.C.Rath, Sr. Scientist also spoke on the occasion.