Delhi, August 16: Union Fisheries Secretary, Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, Secretary, visited Penthakata, a coastal village of Puri District of Odisha in order to understand the grass root level problems faced by the fisher folk and to formulate long-term plans for them.
At Penthakata, Dr. Likhi interacted with the Primary Fishermen Co-operative Society members (PFCS), Fisher folk, and fisherwomen and learned about their socio-economic status. During the discussion, the fishermen highlighted the assistance received from the Central and State Governments under various schemes for the purchase of nets, boats, and towards diesel subsidies, etc. Fishermen of Penthakata demanded the construction of a fish landing center/jetty, a hygienic dry fish market, and activities related to the towel fare of fishermen. He advised the State Director of Fisheries to look into the demand of fishermen and to extend Government assistance under Central and State Schemes. He also interacted with the fish Farmers of the Puri district, who have been benefitted under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampad Yojana (PMMSY).
Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi chaired a meeting in ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA) Kausalyaganga to review the activities carried out by ICAR-CIFA and NFDB- National Fresh Water Fish Brood Bank (NFFBB), Bhubaneswar. He also reviewed the progress of the PMMSY projects in the state of Odisha.
Dr. Pramoda Kumar Sahoo, Director ICAR-CIFA made a detailed presentation on the research activities carried out at ICAR-CIFA. Dr. Sahoo highlighted achievements of the institutes such as genetically improved rohu and catla, GI-scampi, species and system diversification, new and innovative technologies in the field of aquaculture, feed formulations for various freshwater fish species, disease diagnostics, and therapeutics, cutting-edge research and training for enhancing the skills of farmers and several other stakeholders. Dr. Likhi stressed that CIFA should carry out need-based research for the benefit of the aqua farmers and special focus on diseases due to which the industry losses a huge quantity of fish harvest every year. An official from NFDB-National Freshwater Fish Brood Bank (NFFBB) presented their activities and explain in detail about the objectives of the Brood Bank, achievements so far and current activities taken up. He informed that NFDB-NFFBB has a multiplication center for breeding and production of breeder seed of GI fish strains (Carps) and cemented nursery facilities for GI Scampi. He also highlighted that training and capacity building on fish breeding and seed production technology were carried out in order to improve skills of fish farmers. Dr. Likhi advised NFDB-NFFBB to develop a few commercially important fish varieties which have demand in Biofloc and RAS systems.
The Director of Fisheries, Government of Odisha made a brief presentation on the achievements of Odisha in the fisheries and aquaculture sector. He highlighted the fish production, export, Domestic consumption, etc are on an increasing trend. Dr. Likhi while reviewing the activities of CIFA and NFFFBB also interacted with the Exporters, Progressive farmers, Women self Help Group ( WSHGs) members, and Fish Framer Producer Organisation (FFPO) members in order to know the priorities of the sector and their aspirations from the Government and research Institutions.
The Secretary urged that both CIFA and NFFBB undertake activities for mass awareness among farmers through intensive campaigns in the electronic/print media, and social media as well as through Kisan Melas, publications, seminars, and advisories with the involvement of all stakeholders in this sector so that the developed technology and Best Managements practices (BMPs) can reach to the farmers at the earliest so that the farmers can take the benefit of the schemes and new technology.
Dr. Likhi visited the facilities of ICAR-CIFA such as the Biofloc unit, GI-Scampi complex, Ornamental fish complex, and the air-breathing Fish unit. He also visited the Multiplication facility, the Scampi nursery rearing facility of NFFBB and witnessed the GI fish species developed at NFFBB, Kausalyaganga, Odisha.
