ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (CIFRI) in Barrackpore conducted a seven-day training program from 26 September to 02 October 2024, on "Inland Fisheries Management" to improve the skills and competencies of 30 fish farmers from Patna district, Bihar. The training program aimed to deepen their understanding of various aspects of inland fisheries management to promote sustainable fish production and livelihoods. During interaction, Dr. B. K. Das, Director of the Institute encouraged participants to expand their knowledge to ensure sustainable practices. He urged the farmers to apply scientific insights to explore the potential of inland water resources for increased productivity.
The training included sessions on water quality management, construction and management of nursery and rearing ponds, enclosure culture for livelihood enhancement, induced breeding, hatchery management, transportation of live fish seed, ornamental fish rearing, and economic analysis of various rearing systems. Participants also received lectures on fish feed management and disease control, along with an overview of climate change impacts on inland fisheries. The program included visits to facilities such as the Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS), ornamental hatchery unit, Ganga fish conservation unit, and a fish feed mill.
To further bolster practical skills, trainees toured the Halisahar fish farm, Ghalib Street ornamental fish market, ICAR-CIFE Kolkata Centre, ICAR-CIFA Kalyani Centre, and the East Kolkata wetland. All the fishers participated to the “Swachhata Ki Seva” program in honour of Mahatma Gandhi’s 155th birth anniversary.