24th September 2024, Barrackpore
In recent times, drone based technology is changing the scenario of fish farming with its advanced technology for smart carrying capacity, less human intervention, time efficiency for input distribution, mapping large areas, underwater imaging, etc. The technology has the tremendous potential to deliver vital goods to remote locations, overcoming access barriers and enabling faster delivery.
To harness the potential of drone technology in the fisheries sector, the Department of Fisheries, Govt of India, initiated a pilot project for live fish transport on the occasion of the 4th Anniversary of PMMSY. This project, undertaken by ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, Kolkata, aims to design and develop an efficient drone solution capable of transporting up to 100 kg of live fish to designated fish markets or assembly hubs.
Dr Abhilaksh Likhi, Union Secretary, Dept of Fisheries, visited ICAR-CIFRI, Kolkata, today to review the institute’s research and development in drone applications for fisheries management. He emphasized that every R&D programme should reach the end users for real applications and the betterment of the fishing community. Dr Likhi urged conducting more demonstration-cum-awareness campaigns for educating the fisher communities about the available drone technologies which are beneficial for their farming. During the drone demonstration, Dr Likhi, interacted with the fish farmers, listening to their experiences, challenges and success stories.
Dr B. K. Das, Director, ICAR-CIFRI, briefed about the institute’s achievements and progress made in drone-based technologies.
Different drone-based technologies, viz., sprayer drones, feed broadcast drones, and cargo delivery drones, were demonstrated by ICAR-CIFRI and star-up company among more than 100 fishermen and fisherwomen from West Bengal and Bihar. The pilot project will open new era in fisheries sector with a drone-based solution for transporting fresh fish with less time and minimum human involvement while minimizing stress to the fish. The research and development with private partnership would also enable consumers and farmers to have better hygienic fresh fish in the supply chain system.
Senior officials from various sectors—including state fisheries departments, the Ministry of Civil Aviation, NAFED, NCDC, NERMARC, SFAC, retailers, start-ups, and fisheries subordinate offices, state government representatives, FFPOs, and cooperatives also participated in the programme in hybrid mode.
(Source: ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, Barrackpore, Kolkata)
Read more: https://icar.org.in/dr-abhilaksh-likhi-visits-icar-cifri-review-research-drone-demonstration
