The 24th National Fish Farmers’ Day was celebrated by various institutions yesterday.
The day is dedicated to honouring the hard work and dedication of fish farmers across the country. The data marks the revolutionary ‘Induced Breeding Technology’ developed by Hiralal Choudhury and KH Alikhuni on July 10, 1957, which went on to change the face of Indian aquaculture.
At the ICAR Research Complex for the NEH Region, Umiam the event began with a welcome remark by Dr. S. K. Das, Principal Scientist and in-charge of Fisheries, who highlighted the significant contributions of Dr. Hiralal Chaudhuri in fisheries sector.
He said the successful demonstration of induced breeding (hypophysation) in Indian major carps is a breakthrough that had significantly enhanced fish production through aquaculture in the country.
Dr. A. K. Mohanty, Director of ATARI Zone–VII, Umiam said that the day is also observed to recognise the hard work and contributions of fish farmers and other stakeholders in the fisheries sector. He also encouraged advancements and innovations in fish farming practices.
A total of around 100 farmers from 24 villages were benefited from the event. The programme was conducted under the Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP), project of the Institute.
A technical session and a farmer-scientist interaction was held, which motivated and encouraged the farmers to take up fish farming activities.
At the KVK in South Garo Hills the celebration kicked off with an inaugural ceremony that included speeches highlighting the achievements and challenges faced by the fish farming community in the region by Ningthoujam Bishorjit, the in-charge Head of the KVK.
Thongam Monika Devi, SMS (Fisheries), highlighted the significance of adopting scientific methods in fish farming to increase the productivity and profitability.
As a part of celebration an interactive session was also conducted to discuss the challenges for sustainable aquaculture and innovation in the field of aquaculture. Fish fingerlings were distributed to 25 farmers from nine villages under Chokpot block in South Garo Hills.
Meanwhile, in Tripura, fish farmer Khalainbor Pale was one of several to be felicitated and honoured at a function organised by the College of Fisheries, which is under the Central Agricultural University (Imphal).
The event was held in association with the North East Society for Fisheries and Aquaculture (NESFA).
Pale and the others were awarded for their “remarkable entrepreneurship contribution to different avenues of fisheries and aquaculture viz. seed production, rearing, grow-out, etc,” a press release informed.
The Dean, faculty and staff of Tura’s College of Community Science attended the webcast of the 24th National Fish Farmers’ Day celebration.
