Shillong, Nov 21: A two day long training cum workshop on “Emerging Technologies in Aquaculture and Fish Processing for Enhancing Farmers’s Income” was organized by the Division of Fisheries, ICAR Research complex for NEH Region, at Umiam, Meghalaya in collaboration with the Directorate of Fisheries, Government of Meghalaya.
The Asian Fisheries Society Indian Branch and Pillay Aquaculture Foundation, Indian Chapter , The department of Fisheries ,Government of Meghalaya provided the financial assistance for conducting the programme to train the selected field level extension officers of the department on the subject.
Smt A.L Mawlong Director Directorate of Fisheries Govt. of Meghalaya, addressing the gathering as the chief guest highlighted the role of aquaculture as a potential source of income and nutritional security of the rural farmers. She further emphasized on the role of the field level extension officers in transferring the technologies to the farmer’s field.
In the inaugural session Dr.S.K.Das, Principal Scientist and Head, Division of Fisheries, ICAR highlighted the basic objectives of the workshop and motivated the participants to learn emerging technologies in Aquaculture and Fish Processing for disseminating to the farming community of the state for improving the production and income. A training manual on the subject was also released on the occasion.
Prof. (Dr.) P. Keshavanath and Dr. S.C. Pathak, also spoke about the role of AFSIB and PAF (IC) in promoting Fisheries development in the country. The workshop included five technical sessions and practical demonstrations on aquaculture technologies and processed and value added fish products.
A total of 25 officials representing all the 11 districts of the state participated in the 2-day long programme. Department of Fisheries, Government of Meghalaya ,the workshop was presided by Dr. N. Prakash, Director, ICAR –RC-NEH Region, Umiam. Prof. (Dr.) B.A. Shamasundar, Prof. (Dr.) P. Keshavanath, Secretary, Asian Fisheries Society Indian Branch.
Dr. S.C. Pathak, President, Pillay Aquaculture Foundation, Indian Chapter , Prof. (Dr.) M. N. Venugopal and Dr.S.K.Das acted as resource persons. Dr. N. Prakash, Director, ICAR-RC-NEH Region spoke especially on the sector for employment generation among the youth to improve the socio economic condition of the farmers and also about the various technologies developed by ICAR, which can be made available to the state government as and when required.
