STATE TIMES NEWS JAMMU: Krishi Vigyan Kendra-Jammu working under the overall guidance of Prof. J.P. Sharma, Vice chancellor, SKUAST-J and Dr. S.K. Gupta, Director Extension, SKUAST-Jammu organized webinar on Ecosystem Management for Sustainable Fisheries on the occasion of National Fish Farmers Day 2021 wherein more than 30 farmers and youth participated. At the onset, Dr. Premkumar, Scientist (Fisheries) eloborated that this day is commemorated in remembrance of scientists Dr. K.H. Alikunhi and Dr. H.L. Chaudhury who had invented induced breeding technology on 10th July 1957, the first success in induced breeding achieved atAngul, Odisha. Before this technology, fish farmers used to be dependent upon wild collection of fish seed. This pioneering work over years has led to aqua-explosion in the country and fish production has reached to 14.164 million metric tonnes during 2019-20. In order to commensurate this day, on which such a momentous breakthrough that dramatically transformed the fish cultural sector in the country, the Government of India in 2001 declared 10th July as “National Fish Farmers’ Day”. Dr Sahar Masud, In-charge, Fisheries Unit, SKUAST-J emphasized that quality major carp seed availability and supply to fish farmers is essential to increase the fish production. She informed that SKUAST-Jammu is going to establish fish hatchery based on induced breeding technology very soon and quality seed will be available to the farmers of J&K UT. DrPunit Choudhary, Senior Scientist and Head, Krishi Vigyan Kendra Jammu informed informed that KVK Jammu is conducting several programmes for the welfare of fishermen and fish farmers. They are providing farmers, in-service, vocational and ASCI training programmes for the farmers and line departments, distributing fish fingerlings for ponds and tanks. Chief Guest of the function Dr. S.K. Gupta, Director Extension, SKUAST-Jammu said that agriculture, animal science and fisheries sectors are the backbone of India while inaugurating the Fish Farmers Day. Farmers are having opportunities in adopting fish farming and they should not depend on just one aspect of farming, they should follow integrated farming which will help in ecosystem sustainability and management. This is because if they incurred loss in one area, they can make profits in the other. He further added that farmers can help in making India self-reliant (ATAMNIRBHAR) in face of the new challenge of COVID-19. The programme ended with vote of thanks by Dr Punit Choudhary.
