CIFRI Awards
India is the second largest fish producer in the world. Fisheries, aquaculture and allied activities provided livelihood to over 14 million people. During the year 2018-2019 fish production in the country was 13.5 million tonnes which is more than treble the production level of 3.8 mt achieved 25 years back in 1990-91. One of the revolutionary technologies developed by this institute was Induced breeding of carps, where first success of fish breeding of fish was achieved by the luminary scientist Dr. Hira Lal Choudhury and Dr. Alikhuni on July 10, 1957. The technology of induced breeding has made the country self-sufficient in fish seed production. To commemorate the first success of induced breeding, Government of India has declared 10th July of every year to be celebrated as National Fish Farmers Day. Prof. Hira Lal Chaudhary is regarded as the ‘father of induced breeding’ technique in the country for his path breaking research in this technology which is known as the torch bearer of the ‘first blue revolution’ in India.
ICAR-CIFRI celebrated National fish farmers’ day on virtual plateform on 10 July 2020. The virtual event witnessed a gathering of more than 300 fish farmers, entrepreneur, Students and fish production groups from fourteen different states of India including West Bengal, Bihar, Gujarat, Odisha, Assam, Kerala, Tripura, Meghalaya, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. The chief Guest of the Programme was Shri Pratap Chandra Sarangi, Honourable Minister of State of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying and MSME of Govt of India.
The event started with the address by two former Directors of ICAR-CIFRI, Barrackpore, Dr. M. R. Sinha and Prof. A. P. Sharma, followed by Fisher-Scientist interactive session in which the experts discussed the potentials and problems of inland fishery sectors and how to mitigate these challenges in the present context.
Dr. B. K. Das, Director ICAR-CIFRI gave floral tribute to Prof. Hira Lal Choudhury, the author of induced breeding. In his welcome address he discussed about the work done by this institute for the upliftment of fish farmers. He stressed stressed that in next five year we have to achieve fish production of 22 million tonnes. He requested fish farmers on the need of adoption of culture based fisheries in reservoirs and wetlands..
Chief Guest Shri Pratap Chandra Sarangi, Hon’ble Minister of State, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying MSME in his address paid gratitude to Late Hira Lal Choudhury for his remarkable invention. He said India should be the largest fish producer country in the world and that should be the target of all farmers, scientists and other stakeholders. He stressed that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Fisheries sector has got new stimulus. Highlighting the Central government’s programs and schemes to boost production and productivity, the Union Minister said, ‘Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) is a revolutionary programme launched by the Hon’ble Prime Minister. We have thousands of water bodies, rivers, lakes and reservoirs which are left unused. The ratio of fish production in reservoirs is low. He saidd that government is planning to increase area under cage culture to 5% of the reservoir area.”. Aside from that, the Minister said, “The bigger challenge lies in the implementation of the programs. The challenge is how to double the income of the farmers. We have to develop the domestic market and increase export also. All stakeholders need to work in this regard”.
Dr Joykrushna Jena, DDG, (Fisheries Science), ICAR, in his welcome address told about the ambitious targets set by the government to double the fish production as well as export revenue in the country. He also dwelt upon the contributions made by the scientist community in developing different fish breeds and increasing the production in the country in the last five decades. He also added, “More new species need to be added our fish basket. It will not only increase the income of the farmers but also ensure the nutritional security of common people.”
Dr. Ravishankar, C. N., Director, ICAR-CIFT, Cochin, Dr. A Gopalakrishnan, Director, ICAR-CMFRI, Cochin, Dr. Gopal Krishna, Director & Vice Chancellor, ICAR-CIFE, Mumbai, Dr. Dilip Kumar, Former Director, ICAR-CIFE, Mumbai also addressed the gathering.
Facilities
Others
External links
