Entrepreneurship development through Ornamental Fish Culture highlighted
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 01 2023:
A two-day capacity building training programme on "Entrepreneurship Development through Ornamental Fish Culture" for Scheduled Caste farmers of Manipur was kicked off today at the seminar hall of Department of Commerce, Manipur University.
The capacity building programme was jointly organised by the Department of Zoology, Manipur University in collaboration with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Directorate of Coldwater Fisheries Research, Bhimtal.
The programme was inaugurated by Professor N Lokendra Singh, Vice Chancellor of Manipur University as the chief guest; Professor GKN Chhetry, Dean, School of Agricultural Sciences, Manipur University as guest of honour; Professor Th Binoy Singh, Head, Department of Zoology, Manipur University and Dr Pramod Kumar Pandey, Director, ICAR-DCFR as the functional president.
Speaking as the chief guest, Professor Naorem Lokendra highlighted the importance of ornamental fish in socio-economic development of the Schedule Caste farmers of the State.
He stated that through the business of ornamental fish culture people can earn large sums of money with small investments.
Commenting on the viability of ornamental fish culture as a long term business, he urged the fish farmers, especially the youth, to keep a close eye on it and make efforts to become successful entrepreneurs.
The VC also urged the gathering to learn how to make aquariums through the capacity building training programme while adding that if they develop this skill, aquariums can also be imported outside the State.
Delivering the welcome address as Course Director, Dr Rameshori Yumnam, Assistant Professor, Department of Zoology shared that the programme will teach the participants about ornamental fish culture, how to make aquariums, how to maintain them, how this can improve their economic condition and standard of livelihood etc.
In his presidential address, Dr Pandey emphasized on the role of the sector in the development of rural women folk.
He was of the opinion that the sector can play a very crucial role in strengthening the economy of the State.
The inaugural programme ended with a vote of thanks, proposed by Dr Pragyan Dash, Scientist, ICAR-DCFR.
Around 30 fish farmers belonging to the Scheduled Caste community from different districts of the State attended the programme which is set to conclude tomorrow.