Sri Vijaya Puram, Nov.13: A three-days training programme on Freshwater Fish Seed Production jointly organized by the Department of Fisheries, A&N Administration, in collaboration with ICAR–Central Island Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR-CIARI), Garacharma, was inaugurated today by Ms. Jyoti Kumari, IAS, Secretary (Fisheries) at the Fisheries Training Centre, Marine Hill.
The training witnessed the active participation of 25 beneficiaries from South Andaman and North & Middle Andaman. The programme focuses on sustainable aquaculture by equipping participants with essential practical knowledge and technical skills in freshwater fish breeding and seed production techniques with special emphasis on Indian Major Carps.
In her inaugural address, the Secretary (Fisheries), A&N Administration encouraged the participants to make the most of this opportunity to upgrade their skills and improve their economic well-being by setting up of own fish seed hatcheries under PMMSY. She emphasized that such programmes not only empower individual livelihoods but also contribute to enhancing the quality of freshwater aquaculture production, which can help the Islands establish a stronger presence in freshwater fish production scenario of India. She also added that this initiative will help in reducing the dependency of Islands in bringing the seeds and freshwater fishes for local use.
The Secretary further encouraged the trainees to implement the knowledge gained during the programme and actively contribute to building a more robust and resilient freshwater aquaculture activity in the Islands by availing financial assistance under PMMSY. The Secretary (Fisheries) also released the Training Manual prepared by the Department of Fisheries during the inaugural session.
Shri Chittaranjan Raul, Scientist, ICAR–CIARI, elaborated on the comprehensive nature of the training. The training programme aims at equipping participants with essential theoretical and practical knowledge on fish seed production, focusing on the principles of freshwater aquaculture, farm design and layout, pond preparation, induced breeding techniques, and nursery management. It also covers aspects related to feeding, water quality maintenance, health care, fabrication of aquarium tanks, feed and breeding management of freshwater ornamental fishes, aquascaping, and common diseases encountered in the Islands.
A field visit to ICAR–CIARI’s freshwater ornamental fish breeding unit and freshwater fish seed farm at Nayagaon has also been scheduled as part of the training programme.
Shri Bhargav Chakravarty, Assistant Director of Fisheries (Ext. & Trg.) and Shri G. Amalatheeban, Assistant Director of Fisheries (South Andaman), also spoke on the occasion and appreciated the efforts of the participants. The event concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Shri. Soumyadip Paul, Assistant Fisheries Development Officer.