Port Blair, Nov. 2: The Department of Fisheries organized a Brainstorming Workshop for Fisheries Cooperatives at Fisheries Training Centre, Marine Hill, Port Blair today by involving officials and experts from ICAR-CIARI, RCS Department, A&N State Coop Bank, ANCOFED etc. The Secretary (Fisheries), A&N Administration, Shri Vishwendra expressed his happiness in the conduct of this unique Brainstorming Workshop and requested all the participants to make best use of this opportunity in reviving their Fisheries Cooperatives and assured them of all the technical and financial assistance from the Department of Fisheries. He also emphasized on the need for pooling fishermen in groups for taking up major fisheries projects in private sector and urged the members of the cooperatives for induction of educated youths for the upliftment of their fisheries cooperatives.
Shri Vikram Singh, Director of Fisheries, A&N Administration highlighted the importance of utilizing Departmental Schemes i.e. PMMSY for creation of Assets and KCC for obtaining short term capital. Dr. K. Gopal, Joint Director (Fisheries) welcomed the gathering and highlighted the current situation of fisheries cooperatives and stressed on the need for reviving them and benefits of forming cooperative society for larger benefit.
Presentation on various topics related to Cooperative Societies including Financing, functioning & various activities were made by Dr. R. Kiruba Sankar, Sr. Scientist, ICAR- CIARI, Shri Srinivasan, M.K., General Manager, Jolly James, General Manager, A&N State Cooperative Bank, Port Blair, Shri S.U. Maheswar Rao, GBM and Shri Bittu S Nathan, Inspector, RCS Department. Shri Aqueel Anas and Shri D. Pothaiah, successful Aquaculturists from this Islands presented their success story in undertaking Shrimp Farming in these Islands for the motivation of the Cooperatives.
Shri Abdul Salam, Asst. Director of Fisheries (Ext &Trg) concluded the panel discussion by highlighting the points emerged in the discussions including working capital requirement of societies, the way ahead in availing technical and financial assistance for Fisheries activities though cooperatives. The workshop was attended by Members of 28 Fisheries Cooperatives among other stakeholders.