ICAR-CIFE, Kolkata Centre Celebrates National Fish Farmers Day

10 July, 2026, Kolkata

To commemorate the invention of Induced Breeding Technology of Fish in 1957, ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education celebrated the National Fish Farmers Day at its Kolkata Centre. The Celebration acknowledged the hard work, dedication, and innovation of fish farmers, who play a crucial role in meeting the increasing demand for fish protein, creating employment, and enhancing food security.

As the Chief Guest of the programme, Sri Rajesh Mahata, Minister of State (Independent Charge), Dept. of Fisheries, West Bengal appreciated the farming community for their significant role in the development of fisheries in the country. He stressed on the transfer of research results to the farmer’s field for enhancement of fish production through collaborative efforts by scientists and different Govt. departments.

As the Guest of Honour, Dr Pradip Dey, Director, ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Kolkata narrated the importance of this great day. He applauded the farmers for their wonderful contribution towards fish production and encouraged to conserve the small and indigenous fish species for our biodiversity as well nutritional security.

Mr Supriya Ghosal, Director, Fisheries, Govt. of West Bengal, along with the scientists and officials from different line departments highlighted the significance of the day. To recognize their significant contributions, six progressive fish farmers and entrepreneurs were felicitated by the Minister.

Moreover, he distributed the seeds of high-value ornamental fishes produced at the Centre to a woman self-help group of South 24 Parganas district. Few extension leaflets in vernacular language were released by the Minister for the benefit of fish farmers.

The inaugural session was followed by an stakeholders meet in presence of scientist-experts and several emerging issues of fish farming were discussed. Moreover, there was an exhibition session where different input supply companies and ICAR-CIFE participated.

The programme was attended by 60 fish farmers and entrepreneurs coming from West Bengal and North-eastern states.

(Source: ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Kolkata Centre)