The ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture Director Dr Saroj Kumar Swain inaugurated the first ornamental aquaculture field school of Odisha at the farm of one Rajesh Ranjan Mohapatra of Kochila Nuagaon village under Tangi Choudwar block in Cuttack district.
The school envisages empowering ornamental fish farmers/farm women from SC community of nearby villages, contributing greatly to extension and advisory services delivery.
Dr Swain while addressing the gathering urged the farmers and farm women to take up ornamental fish farming as a means to strengthening their livelihood and assured them technical support from ICAR-CIFA. Principal Scientist and Chairman, SCSP Dr HK De gave an overview of the Aquaculture Field School.
Co-chairman, SCSP Dr Ashis Saha gave an overview of SCSP activities being carried out by ICAR-CIFA in Odisha. Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Cuttack Officer- in-Charge Dr Sujata Sethy graced the occasion and complimented ICAR-CIFA for the initiatives in supporting aquaculture development.
Senior Administrative Officer, ICAR-CIFA IB Kumar and the SCSP team from ICAR-CIFA attended the programme.
A one-day training programme on ornamental fish farming was organised for the farmers, maintaining Covid-19 guidelines. The training was attended by 50 farmers and farm women.
A farmers-scientists interface was also organised on the occasion and queries of fish farmers were addressed. A soil water testing camp was also organised for the benefit of the farmers. The programme was coordinated by Principal Scientist Dr SN Sethi.