- Joint workshop of ICAR-CIFRI and Fisheries Department concluded to give new direction to fisheries in Chhattisgarh.
Recognizing the vast potential for fish production through cage culture in Chhattisgarh’s rich water resources and reservoirs, the state government has taken an important initiative. The Fisheries Department, Chhattisgarh, in collaboration with ICAR-CIFRI Barrackpore (Kolkata), successfully organized a two-day special workshop at the Fisheries Department office in Raipur.
The main objective of this workshop was to make the fish farmers engaged in pond and cage culture aware about the modern methods of quick identification (real-time diagnostics) of fish diseases and their effective prevention and treatment.
- Technical guidance provided by scientists
Dr. Asit Kumar Bera and Mrs. Sohini Chatterjee, Principal Scientists at ICAR-CIFRI, delivered detailed lectures at the workshop. They briefed farmers on the specifics of cage culture and pond diseases, including their symptoms, prevention, and scientific treatment.
- Extensive participation of farmers and officials
Fifty to sixty cage culture farmers and fifty to sixty traditional (pond) fish farmers from various districts of the state attended the two-day event. Fisheries officials from various districts also actively participated in the workshop.
- Brainstorming on future strategies
During the workshop, several key priorities were identified for improved fisheries management in the state. Field-level testing, rapid disease identification at the farm and water source levels, were also discussed. Training and Database Training included training field staff on disease reporting and the creation of a database of reservoir and fish health records for future management.
- Public representatives and officials increased enthusiasm
During the program, guests and senior officials emphasized the importance of this type of integrated management to increase fish production in the state. Present at the event were Mr. N.S. Nag, Director of Fisheries, Chhattisgarh; Mr. Anand Nishad, Chairman of the Fishermen Welfare Board; Dr. Lakhan Lal Dhiwar, Vice Chairman of the Fishermen Welfare Board; Ms. Bina Gadpale, Deputy Director of Fisheries Training Institute; and Mr. Vikas Kumar Sahu, Assistant Fisheries Officer. Other officials were also present.