The first success in induced breeding (Hypophysation) of Indian major carp achieved on 10th July, 1957 by Dr. Hiralal Chaudhuri at Angul in Odisha under the guidance of Dr. K. H. Alikunhi, Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (CIFRI), Odisha is considered as the red letter day for Indian fish farmers. Later in the year 2001, Government of India declared the 10th July, as the National Fish Farmers Day in order to commemorate the achievement by Dr. Hiralal, who was responsible for the start-up of blue revolution. Since then, the country had been celebrating this day to felicitate fish farmers pan India.
Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute
At CIFRI, eleven fish farmers from West Bengal, Odisha, Telangana, Jharkhand, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh were also organized under skill development programme and tribal sub plan for the wetland fish farmers of west Bengal and tribal fish farmers of Sundarbans.
Directorate of Coldwater Fisheries Research
At Directorate of Coldwater Fisheries Research (DCFR), Bhimtal, fifteen progressive Himalayan fish farmers from Leh Laddakh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Assam and Meghalaya were conferred awards for their best contribution in bringing the higher level of fish production in their respective states. Progressive farmers shared their valuable experiences and benefits of cold water aquaculture. They also appreciated the technologies developed by DCFR that had helped them to increase their income.
Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture
The central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (CIBA) celebrated the National Fish Farmers Day with the coastal fishers of the Puducherry on the food production, employment and income generation using cost-effective and environmental sustainable models of fish farming. The programmed highlighted the advantages of farming of fishes in cages, polyculture and Integrated Multi-Tropic Aquaculture ( IMTA), in vast stretches of brackishwater resources available in the region. The scientists noted that the best extensionstrategy to transfer farming innovations among the farmers with technological support from institution is farmer to farmer interaction. In this context, Mr. Premkumar, a fisher entrepreneur partner from Vennangupattu in Knacheepuram district of Tamil Nadu, shared his experience in the cage farming of seabass with the technological support of CIBA, and highlighted the profitability of the venture. During the event, the scientists from CIBA delivered talks on various initiatives taken by the institute and their role in enhancing the livelihood security and fish production from the brackishwater resources. Shri. Anjan Dandapat, a progressive and innovative brackishwater farmer from Balasore, Odisha, who adopted the technology of CIBA in the farming of desi shrimp ( penaeus indicus), was awarded with “Best Brackishwater shrimp Farmer- Coastal states 2018” by National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB).
Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture
At Central Institute of freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA) Bhubneshwar, the chief guest of the event Prof. P K Mishra, Chancellor,Dr Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Bihar urged the farmers to combine and utilize traditional wisdom and modern technology in fish farming and using sensor and IT tools to know the fish density in big and ponds and lakes as well as to study fish behavior. During the event, CIFA delivered talks on multiple breeding, off-seasons breeding, bigger fingerling production and other technological advancements made in the field of freshwater aquaculture and urged unemployed rural youth to take up fish farming as a business venture CIFA, Bangalore also celebrated the day A publication on Ornamental aquaculture – A potential Entrepreneurial in the local language was also released to mark the day At CIFA Rahara, West Bengal a scientist-farmer interaction session was organized on the theme “doubling farmer’s income”. During the occasion farmers from different parts of India were felicitated for their contributions to the development of freshwater aquaculture.
Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute
Atthe Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), an awareness campaign on seaweed culture as a climate resilient farming practice at Mullakadu coast of Tuticorin district, Tamil Nadu was undertaken. During the programme, the seaweed mono lines, seed materials and other accessories were given to selected fishers of the district for conducting Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) practices under the National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA). CMFRI centre at Karwar, organized harvest mela of cage farming of seabass to mark the event. About 200 kg of sea bass was harvested after a farming period of four months from the cages operated by the local fishers. CMFRI felicitated the fishers involved in this activity.
National Fisheries Development Board
The National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) celebrated their National Fish Farmers day which also happened to be their Foundation day. Dr. E. Ramesh Kumar, IAS, Joint Secretary (Fisheries), Govt. of India graced the occasion along with Shri. Ram Shankar Nayak, Commissioner of Fisheries, Andhra Pradesh and Smt. l. Rani Kumudini, Chief Executive, NFDB.
Outstanding fish farmers in different categocies were awarded in recognition to their accomplishments in innovation, development and adoption of improved technologies and practices in fish farming.
The best Fish Farmer of Inland, Coastal and North- Eastern States were awarded to Shri Sukdeb Mandal of Chhattisgarh, Shri U.K. Viswanadha Raju of Andhra Pradesh and Shri Biswajit Datta of Tripura respectively. The best fish hatchery in the Inland, Coastal and North-Eastern States was awarded to Shri Chethi Sri Ramulu of Telangana, Shri Manoranjan Sahu of Odhisa and Shri Naorem Lashmon Singh of Manipur respectively. The best brackishwater shrimp/ fish farmer was awarded to Shri Manojbhai M. Sharma of Gujarat and the best Brackishwater shrimp/ fish Hatchery was awarded to Shri V. Narendra Varma Raju of Andhra Pradesh. The award for the best performing cooperatives/SHG went to Bhakra Fisheries Industrial Cooperative Society of Himachal Pradesh followed by MATSYAFED, Kerala.
In Tamil Nadu, the state fisheries department conferred awards for three fisher groups for the best open sea cage farming, namely the Association I ISSUE 7 1 AUGUST 2018 of Kovalam Progressive Fishermen (AKPF), Ebi and Hesther groups.
In Puducherry, the Fisheries Department roped in students from various government schools of Puducherry and celebrated th Fish Farmers Day, with series of events including a rally, essay and drawing competitions with emphasis on the importance of fresh water fish culture.
In Karnataka, the department of fisheries conducted the programme at Kuriya Village of Puttur Taluk, by stocking carp seeds in ponds of a progressive farmer. The need for integrated farming practices wa highlighted during the event.
In Arunachal Pradesh, Krishi Vigyan Kendra celebrated the “Fish Farmers Day” at Dirang and Sangti village. Technical sessions were conducted on various aspects related to fish breeding and fish production technology and their role in doubling farmers’ income and suitable integration with horticultural/ agricultural crop were discussed. The importance of fish farming and contribution of fisheries in livelihood and nutritional security was highlighted.
Source: Aquaculture Spectrum