Training prog on integrated fish farming underway
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, February 05 2024:
A two-day training cum capacity building programme on 'Integrated Fish Farming' for Scheduled Caste (SC) farmers of Manipur, organised by Department of Zoology, Manipur University in collaboration with Indian Council of Agricultural Research - Directorate of Coldwater Fisheries Research (ICAR-DCFR), Bhimtal, was inaugurated at the VC's Court Hall of MU on Monday.
Altogether, 30 fish farmers belonging to SC community from different districts of the state are participating in the programme.
MU Department of Zoology assistant professor and course co-ordinator Dr Rameshori Yumnam delivered the welcome address.
Bharatiya Kishan Sangh, New Delhi national organising secretary Dinesh D Kulkarni, in his remarks as the chief guest, mentioned about importance of fish culture and taking up applied and need based research for the growth and development of the farmers of Manipur.
He also commended MU for taking up farmer-oriented programmes meant to benefit the farmers immensely.
In his presidential address, MU VC Prof N Lokendra Singh emphasised that being an agrarian economy, the role of integrated fish farming has become pivotal in a creating livelihood and employment generation for the needy farmers of Manipur.
MU should start skill development programmes related to fisheries for the benefit of youths of the state, he remarked.
While speaking as guest of honour, Dhanamanjuri University VC Prof N Rajmuhon Singh emphasised the importance of filling the gap in production in the fishery sector of the state and for taking up fishery-related projects which will embark a rewarding endeavour, contributing to sustainable aquaculture, economic development, and environmental conservation.
ICAR-DCFR director Dr Pramod Kumar Pandey, as guest of honour, elaborated on the importance of recycling nutrients through integrated fish farming and its relevance, creation of waste to wealth, increment of income generation in a sustainable way.
He further opined that though the country is now self-sufficient in food security, the country still needs to address the issue of nutritional security of the populous which can be taken care through the consumption of nutrient rich fish.
MU Department of Zoology head Prof Th Binoy Singh appreciated the efforts made by the faculty members in conducting and organising series of such programmes for the benefit of the fish farmers of the state, and fructifying the MoU signed between Manipur University and ICAR-DCFR in practice.
The inaugural programme ended with vote of thanks, proposed by Dr Nityanand Pandey, principal scientist and head of Fishery Resource Management and also co-coordinator of the programme.