The Worldfish, a global aquaculture and genetic improvement organisation, will partner with Odisha to improve fish production and meet its target of doubling fish production in 5 years. Worldfish Director Michael Phillips made a presentation before Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at the State Secretariat in this regard on Thursday.
The organisation will use ‘Genetically Improved Farm Tilapia’ (GIFT) for enhancement of fish production. The major objective of the partnership is to improve the quality of fish seeds, good aquaculture practices through a number of actions like expansion of coastal area ponds, digging of fish farm clusters in the rim of Chilika and providing international market linkage for Odisha fish.
The partnership would continue for a minimum period of five years. The Worldfish also proposed to include fish in the overall nutrition plan of the State. The Malaysia-based organization has been success in increasing fish production in Bangladesh. It is also operating in Philippines, Cambodia, Myanmar and some other countries.