Shillong, November 21: As part of the World Fisheries Day celebration, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, Kochi in collaboration with Indian Council of Agricultural North Eastern Centre for North Eastern Hill Region, Umiam, Department of Fisheries, Government of Meghalaya, Shillong and Office of the Deputy Commissioner, West Jaintia Hills today organised a one day awareness programme on “Importance of Fish in Diet” in the Conference Room, DC’s Office, Jowai.
The function was inaugurated by the Director of Fisheries Shri Ram Singh who graced the occasion as Chief Guest in presence of West Jaintia Hills Deputy Commissioner, Arunkumar Kembhavi, Dr. M. M. Prasad, Principal Scientist and Head, Microbiology, Fermentation & Biotechnology Division, S. K. Das, Principal Scientist and Head, Fisheries ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Dr. K. K. Asha, Senior Scientist, Biochemistry & Nutrition Division, ICAR-CIFT, Kochi, Dr. Suseela Mathew, Principal Scientist and Head, Biochemistry & Nutrition Division, ICAR-CIFT, Kochi, D.M Wallang, ADC, Project Director, DRDA, Jowai and B. K. Sohliya, Meghalaya Institute of Entrepreneurship (MIE), Officer on Special duty among others. The smoked fish farmers from Umladhur and Thangbuli were also present for the awareness programme.
Speaking on the occasion, Ram Singh, Director of Fisheries reminded the gathering on the importance and significant role of fishery resources, the benefits and nutrients a person gets from fish which is vital for our day to day life. He said seafood proteins are very healthy and can be taken daily to have a healthy body and healthy mind. Later the Chief Guest released the CIFT Publication and disturbed Fish seedlings to the farmers.
Arunkumar Kembhavi, Deputy Commissioner, West Jaintia Hills in his address, highly appreciated the CIFT teams from Kochi for bringing the modern technology and installing the community Smoking kilns at Umladhur and Thangbuli and demonstration of smoke-curing of fish in a scientific and hygienic method on 19 November, 2016.
During the technical session Dr. Suseela Mathew, gave an overview on the Role of Fish and fish-based functional foods in nutrition, Dr. M. M. Prasad, on Health hazard bacteria in fish and control measures, Dr. S. K. Das gave an overview on Traditional fishing practices and advanced technologies for North Eastern States of India and Dr. K. K. Asha on Malnourishment and the importance of fortification.
Later, the Director of Fisheries, Ram Singh, Deputy Commissioner, Arunkumar Kembhavi and the team from ICAR-CIFT, Kochi released fish seedling at Thadlaskein Lake.
