20 July 2026, Bhubaneswar
ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, Bhubaneswar, organised the second international capacity-building programme on “Basics of Fish Farming in Freshwater Systems” for ten aquaculturists and assistant aquaculturists from the National Aquaculture Development Authority (NAQDA), Sri Lanka, from 6 to 19 July 2026. The programme was sponsored by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, and facilitated by the High Commission of India in Colombo for the capacity-building of the technical personnel of NAQDA, Sri Lanka.
The two-week programme combined classroom instruction, practical demonstrations, visits to research facilities and exposure to commercial aquaculture enterprises. The technical sessions covered fish-farm design and pond construction, species and production-system diversification, carp broodstock management, cryopreservation, induced breeding, nursery pond management, fish nutrition and feeding, water-quality management, fish-health management and disease surveillance.
The participants were also exposed to advanced and diversified aquaculture technologies, including biofloc and recirculatory aquaculture systems, automation and smart aquaculture systems, aquaponics, ornamental fish breeding, air-breathing fish production, freshwater prawn culture, catfish breeding, tilapia seed production, selective breeding of carps and freshwater pearl farming. Sessions on aquaculture field schools, farmer-to-farmer extension and digital applications in aquaculture were included to strengthen the participants’ capacity to transfer scientific technologies to fish farmers in Sri Lanka.
Hands-on learning formed a major component of the programme. The trainees visited different research, farm and laboratory facilities of ICAR-CIFA and received practical exposure to fish breeding, seed production, feed preparation, water-quality assessment, fish-health management, diversified aquaculture systems and smart aquaculture technologies.
Commercial aquaculture-farm visits were organised to provide the participants with exposure to freshwater fish-production practices under field conditions. An exposure visit to the National Freshwater Fish Brood Bank under the National Fisheries Development Board was also arranged to familiarise the trainees with broodstock management, fish-seed production, aquatic genetic-resource conservation and relevant institutional activities. The academic component concluded with a training-impact assessment, structured feedback and a valedictory session, followed by field exposure that marked the completion of the programme.
The initiative strengthened the technical competencies of NAQDA personnel in sustainable freshwater aquaculture and facilitated the adaptation and dissemination of appropriate aquaculture technologies among fish farmers in Sri Lanka. It also reinforced bilateral cooperation and knowledge exchange between India and Sri Lanka in the fisheries and aquaculture sector.
(Source: ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, Bhubaneswar)
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