Speed Post News Network
New Delhi : Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India, organised a webinar on “Cage aquaculture in Reservoir: Sleeping Giants” on January 28, 2022, as a part of “Azadi Ka Amrit Mohatsav”.
The event was presided over by Jatindra Nath Swain, Secretary, Department of Fisheries (DoF), Government of India (GoI), and was attended by around 100 participants including officials of Department of Fisheries, GoI, and fisheries officials of different States/UTs, faculties from State Agriculture, Veterinary and Fisheries universities, entrepreneurs, scientists, farmers, hatchery owners, students, and stakeholders from aquaculture industry across the country.
Swain, in his inaugural address, stated the importance of reservoirs and cage aquaculture for the development of fisheries sector. He advised to have robust cage culture system in reservoirs including potential markets to ensure good returns to the farmers and highlighted the examples of success stories across the globe and the country.
Swain also requested the scientists and the Fisheries Departments of the States/ UTs to motivate fish farmers and develop innovative ways as well as policies for increasing profits, decreasing input cost, species diversification,and increasing the production and productivity of cage culture systems in the reservoirs, according to a PIB release.
Sagar Mehra, JS (Inland Fisheries), in his opening remarks, said that cage system efficiently utilises the water bodies by harnessing their natural productivity and are economically, socially,and ecologically viable.
During the technical session, Dr B K Das, Director, ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (CIFRI), made a comprehensive presentation on “Cage aquaculture in Reservoir: Sleeping Giants” and briefed about various technologies, opportunities, and activities developed by ICAR-CIFRI for diversification of cage aquaculture in different parts of the country along with various skill and capacity development programmes for the farmers and stakeholders.
Dr. Das emphasised on the need for promotion of cage aquaculture in reservoirs of the country by following good management practices and providing support services and CIFRI is ready to associate in tandem with the States and UTs for knowledge support on technological backdrop for various perspectives of enclosed pisciculture.