CIFA organises international training programme for SAARC countries

1 October, 2012, Bhubaneswar

An international training programme “Quality fish seed Production through brood fish management in SAARC countries” commenced today at Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture Kausalyaganga on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar. The training is being organised by CIFA in association with SAARC Agriculture Centre, Dhaka.

”It’s a proud moment for the Council  that India is recognized for its competence and providing leadership to her neighbours in matters of fisheries development’”, said Dr B. Meenakumari, Deputy Director General (Fisheries), Indian Council of Agricultural Research, while inaugurating the training programme. Quality fish feed is the basic requirement for successful aquaculture and quality brood would ensure quality seed. She laid emphasis on brood selection, its management, genetic upgradation, and rearing of disease free seed.

Dr Abul Kalam Azad, Director, SAARC, Dhaka, Bangladesh said that freshwater aquaculture in SAARC countries has many things in common. Aquaculture as a means to eradicate rural poverty and unemployment is being emphasized. CIFA which is known for its world class research and as a seat of learning in aquaculture has got many farm-worthy technologies on its platter. The member countries should take advantage of the technologies developed by this Institute and disseminate it among the farmers.

Dr P. Jayasankar, Director, CIFA in his welcome address informed that CIFA has been helping the SAARC Countries in competency building in aquaculture through training programmes. ”Mutual exchange of information and knowledge among the SAARC countries is also an objective of the programme”, he said.

The programme is being attended by 21 participants from Bangladesh, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Bhutan and Srilanka. During the ten-day programme the participants would be exposed to recent advances in genetic upgradation, biotechnological application, cryopreservation, off-season breeding, seed rearing, nutrition and health management etc. Besides, the participants would be taken on a field visit to Naihati fish seed market in West Bengal.

On the occasion, a book on “Quality fish seed production and broodstock management” published by CIFA was released. Earlier, Dr B. Meenakumari inaugurated a challenge facility for undertaking advance research in fish health.

(Source: CIFA, Bhubaneswar)