The Business Bytes
BHUBANESWAR, JUNE 16, 2024 (TBB BUREAU): Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying and Panchayati Raj, SP Singh Baghel, undertook a comprehensive review of freshwater aquaculture research initiatives at the ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (ICAR-CIFA), here on Sunday.
During his visit, Minister Baghel planted a tree sapling on the institute premises and conducted a thorough inspection of CIFA’s farm facilities. He was briefed on more than 23 different fish varieties, including the genetically improved Rohu ‘Jayanti’, catla, scampi, minor carps, catfishes, murrel, anabas, and pearl mussel. Various aquaculture systems such as pond culture, Bio-floc, and Aquaponics were demonstrated, along with gadgets, feed formulations, and therapeutics developed by the institute.
The minister also took stock of the progress of central sector schemes on Animal Husbandry and Fisheries specifically implemented in Odisha. Officials from the Department of Fisheries and Animal Resources Development, Government of Odisha, participated in the review meeting. Minister Baghel emphasized the importance of transferring these advanced technologies to the farming community. He highlighted that innovative farm research will be instrumental in India’s journey towards becoming a developed nation, as envisioned in ‘Viksit Bharat’.
ICAR-CIFA Director Dr. PK Sahoo delivered a presentation outlining the institute’s ongoing research activities and its vision for the year 2047. Dr. Sahoo also briefed the minister on the institute’s 100-day action plan, aimed at further enhancing aquaculture productivity and sustainability.
The visit concluded with Minister Baghel expressing his appreciation for ICAR-CIFA’s efforts in advancing aquaculture research and development, reaffirming the government’s commitment to supporting scientific endeavors that benefit India’s agriculture and fisheries sectors.
