An awareness programme on scientific aquaculture in backyard ponds was jointly organised by ICAR-CIFA and ANANYA, Bhubaneswar, under the SCSP scheme of the institute recently.
Around 70 farmers and farm women from different districts of Odisha attended the event.
Baleswar MP Pratap Chandra Sarangi graced the occasion as chief guest and inaugurated the programme.
He appreciated the efforts of CIFA in empowering the downtrodden people. Presence of large number of women in the programme is indicative of their growing interest in establishing micro-enterprise in fisheries, he said. He advised the farmers to learn and adopt newer avenues like ornamental fish farming, value addition, etc.
Chairman, Odisha Krushak Samaj Dr PC Mohanty in his address urged the participating farmers to adopt improved technologies of fish farming.
With the collective efforts of farmers, Krishi Vigyan Kendras, State departments and other civil society organisations, Odisha could become a net exporter of freshwater fish, he opined.
He also stressed forming fish farmer producer organisations to overcome the challenges of small-scale farmers.
Executive secretary, ANANYASK Panigrahi thanked ICAR-CIFA for providing an opportunity to the economically weaker section of the society to learn about aquaculture.
Earlier, Director, CIFA Dr SK Swain welcomed the delegates.