National Fish Farmers’ Day 2025 Celebrated at ICAR-CIFA, Bhubaneswar

10 July 2025, Bhubaneswar

The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Government of India, celebrated National Fish Farmers’ Day 2025 at the ICAR–Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, Kausalyaganga, Bhubaneswar today in collaboration with the Department of Fisheries, Government of Odisha, and the National Fisheries Development Board.

Observed every year on July 10, the day marks the pioneering breakthrough of Dr. K.H. Alikunhi and Dr. H.L. Chaudhuri, who achieved the first successful induced breeding of carp in 1957 a milestone that transformed the landscape of Indian aquaculture.

Addressing the gathering, Union Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh reaffirmed the Government's commitment to transforming the fisheries sector through innovation, capacity building, and continued support under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). On the occasion, he launched 17 fisheries clusters, the ICAR-NFDB Training Calendar, Seed Certification and Hatchery Guidelines, and ICAR–CIFA’s publication Freshwater Aquaculture Technologies: Innovations for Diversification and Sustainability. The Minister also felicitated traditional fishers, FFPOs, start-ups, and beneficiaries of government schemes such as the Kisan Credit Card and Aqua-Crop Insurance.

He virtually inaugurated and laid foundation stones for several PMMSY projects, emphasizing infrastructure enhancement and holistic support for fish farmers. Highlighting a 103% increase in fish production over the past decade (2014–2024), he stressed the importance of skill development in emerging areas like pearl culture, organic aquaculture, pabda, and murrel farming.

The event was attended by key dignitaries including Union Ministers of State Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel and Shri George Kurian; Odisha Fisheries Minister Shri Gokulananda Mallick; MP Shri Sukanta Kumar Panigrahi; MLA Shri Ashrit Pattanayak; Secretary, DoF, Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi; Deputy Director General (Fisheries), ICAR, Dr. J.K. Jena; NFDB Chief Executive Dr. B.K. Behera; senior government officials; and ICAR–CIFA Director Dr. P.K. Sahoo.

The key highlight was the exhibition by FFPOs, start-ups, and women-led fisher groups showcasing value-added products, innovations, and grassroots aquaculture initiatives.

With over 1,500 participants, including farmers, entrepreneurs, scientists, and stakeholders, the event reflected strong grassroots engagement and served as a platform to reinforce the synergy between science, policy, and community-led aquaculture in driving India’s Blue Revolution.

(Source: ICAR–Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, Bhubaneswar)