CIFRI Awards
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health and development threat. It requires urgent multisectoral action in order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).The ICAR-CIFRI has celebrated National campaign on Antimicrobial resistance in Fish during 22-24th November 2021 through various programmes. Under the supervision of Dr. B.K. Das,Director several programmes were conducted by ICAR-CIFRI HQ and Research Centres and about 352903 fishers, fishfarmers, students, general public were sensitized during that National campaign. On 22nd November, the awareness program was scheduled at two major Ferry ghats (Serampore and Sheoraphuli) to sensitize the general public. During the programme, pamphlets on AMR (English, Hindi and Bengali) were distributed and importance on safe and responsible use of antimicrobial were explained among the peoples. Approximately, 980 pamphlets were distributed. There was a Farmers Meet at Farakka on 22nd November to generate awareness on AMR. The farmers interacted with the scientists on responsible use of antibiotics, development of antimicrobial resistance and its impact on public health. Nearly 180 fishermen, youth, women, and students participated in this programme.
On 23rd November an awareness camp was organized at Ranabutia village, Panchpota PO, East Kolkata wetland, West Bengal. A total of 507 fishers including 395 men and 112 women participated in the program. The programme was coordinated by a team of ICAR-CIFRI scientists, Dr. B.K. Behera, Dr. Vikash Kumar, Dr. P.K. Parida, Mrs Tanushree Bera and Dr. M. Shaya Devi, technical staffs and research scholars. The program was inaugurated with lighting the lamp by Dr. B.K. Behera, Head, AEBN Division, ICAR-CIFRI, Prof. T.J. Abraham (Dean), Prof. Gadadhar Dash, W.B.U.A.F.S, Kolkata and Mr. Prabir Sarkar, Social Worker, East Kolkata wetland. During the program, the team shared and enlighten the gathering on several areas including aquatic environment vis-à-vis antimicrobial resistance issues, status of fish disease management in freshwater aquaculture in India, sustainable approaches for aquaculture development, etc. The scientific team also interacted with fishers and discusses issues related with fish growth, disease and farm management.
Another programme was also conducted at Sargachi Murshidabad, West Bengal well supported by Dhanya Ganga KVK of RKMVERI on 23 Nov, 2021. A total of 508 participants comprising students, faculties, SHG, WSHG, fishers & youths. Inaugurating the program with lighting of holy lamps Swami Viswamoyananda Ji, Secretary, RKM, Sargachi invoked the youths to come forward in reshaping themselves through Agri-preneurship as means of earnings under altered regimen of pandemic driven country. Dr A K Das, PS, CIFRI while welcoming the participants urged the students & youths involving them in knowledge & technology driven present day agriculture as a whole in general and fisheries & aquaculture in particular as a means of sustenance in the coming era. Dr Sanjib Kumar Manna, PS, CIFRI has presented in details the Antimicrobial Resistance- Its implications in fish & human health in a very lucid manner which was highly appreciated by the august participants including faculties as being made lively in feed back session. The HoD, Deptt of Zoology, Baharampur Girls' College has elaborated the importance of AMR awareness camp of such manner being a perfect tool in sharing knowledge to the participants for their upscaling of knowledge on this important aspect.
On 24th November, a mass awareness was also conducted at Moyna, East Midnapore ,West Bengal in collaboration with Moyna Ramakrishnayan Association. Nearly 516 general public including students, farmers and college lectures were participated in this programme. Dr. Basant Kumar Das, Director graced the occasion. Dr. Das, highlighted the issue of random use of antibiotics without doing any sensitivity test which ultimately leading to AMR and large scale economic loss caused by recurrent fish disease and associated mortality. Dr. B.K Das also had a Tadio Talk on this burning issue through FM 92.1 radio channel as a part of sensitization programme which ultimately disseminated to around 3.5 lakh residents of that area. As a part of field activities on-field practical demonstration on water quality testing, fish disease sample collection and disease diagnosis were conducted by Dr. A.K Bera and Dr. R.K Manna.
A mass awareness program was organized by the Regional Centre of ICAR-CIFRI, Bangalore on 23rd November, at Vanivilas Sagar reservoir, Chitradurga District, Karnataka under the overall guidance of Dr. B. K. Das, Director, ICAR-CIFRI, Barrackpore. The programme was coordinated by Dr. Preetha Panikkar, Principal Scientist and Head, Dr. Ajoy Saha, Scientist. A total of 52 persons were sensitized on this topic. Dr. SP Kamble,I/C Vadodara Centre and Dr. Vaishak, Scientist Vadodara Centre organized an awareness programme on “Antimicrobial resistance in Fish” at Dev dam in Bhamariya village (Panchmahal district), Gujarat on 24.11.2021. An awareness programme was also organized at Lakhanabandha beel, Nagaon,Assam on 24th November on “Antimicrobial resistance in Fish” by Regional Research Centre-ICAR-CIFRI, Guwahati. Awareness programme was also conducted in Sangam ,Prayagraj by Dr. D.N Jha and Dr. VR Thakur. More than, 87 general public were sensitized. All, the programmes were planned under the overall guidance of Dr. B.K Das,Dirctor,ICAR-CIFRI.
Updated on 29/11/2021
