Scientists from India’s ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) have embarked on a two-week-long outreach programme to directly engage with fish farmers and fishermen across the country as part of the central government’s new “Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan” programme. The institute will leverage the campaign to popularise cutting-edge technologies, with the aim to enhance India’s mariculture production through wider adoption.
CMFRI scientists are demonstrating and explaining advanced practices such as cage fish farming, marine ornamental fish farming, mussel farming, oyster farming, seaweed cultivation, innovative fish breeding technologies and scientific coastal aquaculture.
“The community will be given awareness on a range of technologies and the prospects of seaweed farming and integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA),” CMFRI Director Dr Grinson George said.
“CMFRI envisions increased productivity with a target of 2.5 million tonnes of fish production from mariculture by 2047 against the current estimate of a meagre 1.5 lakh tonnes. To a great extent, effective adoption of innovative technologies will help to achieve this target”, George said.
CMFRI will also focus on boosting start-up enterprises in the sector by offering guidance and technical support, he added.
Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan is a nationwide campaign, developed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in association with state governments. Around 2,000 teams comprising scientists and experts from 113 ICAR institutes and 731 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) along with field officers from state- level departments of agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, fisheries, as well as innovative farmers will be part of it, with the aim to reach around 1.5 crore farmers in the country.
In Kerala, CMFRI’s outreach teams, comprising 36 scientists, will visit all districts, collaborating closely with the respective KVKs. Similarly, all the institute’s centres located in various coastal states will take part in the campaign in respective regions.
“A landmark initiative in connecting scientists and farmers, this direct engagement will greatly help fishery scientists tailor their research work and development efforts to fulfil the community’s demands more effectively,” George said.
Beyond technology awareness, CMFRI teams will also collect crucial feedback, remarks and responses from the farming and fishing communities to understand the specific issues and challenges faced by farmers. The scientists will listen to the issues of the stakeholders and foster a strong connection with them.
Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan is a significant effort to ensure that scientific advancements translate into tangible benefits for the grassroots, he added.
Officially launched in Puri, Odisha, the nationwide campaign is led by Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chauhan.
