ICAR-CIFE celebrated its convocation to confer degrees today. Dr. Ravishankar C.N., Director and Vice-Chancellor of ICAR-CIFE, Mumbai conferred degrees on 90 Master’s and 32 Ph.D. students.
The Chief Guest Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, Director General, Council of Scientific & Industrial Research & Secretary, Department of Science and Industrial Research, Govt. of India, acknowledged the role of professional fisheries education in supporting a thriving and rapidly growing sector that employs up to 28 million people across India. Dr. Kalaiselvi also appreciated the significant contribution ICAR-CIFE made in developing energy-efficient and environmentally friendly technologies for inland saline aquaculture.
Guest of Honour, Dr. R. C. Agarwal, Deputy Director General (Education Division), ICAR, and Dr. Joykrushna Jena, Deputy Director General (Fisheries Science), ICAR were also present during the programme.
ICAR-CIFE successfully assisted 2500 farmers in Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh in adopting P. vannamei shrimp aquaculture, with State governments’ active involvement. Chief Ministers of the above-mentioned states appreciated ICAR-CIFE and Rohtak Centre for creating livelihood opportunities. A mJhinga mobile app developed by ICAR-CIFE scientists provides digital support to these ventures a salinity-tolerant strain of common carp.
Aquaculture in India has grown significantly, contributing to the total production of 16.24-million-ton fish in 2022. This growth indicates the development of effective technologies and the sector’s growing entrepreneurial activity. India remains the second-largest fish producer globally, contributing to nearly 1.2% of the country’s GDP. Export earnings reached Rs. 64,000 crores in 2023. The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana supported 31.89 lakh fishers and farmers over the past five years, providing insurance coverage and livelihood support. The scheme has improved safety, quality, and cold-chain, post-harvest infrastructure, value chain, traceability, scientific fisheries management, and welfare of fisherfolk. The role of fisheries education and professionals is crucial in this transformation.
The institute’s initiatives include genetic improvement of catfish magur and common carp, fish breeding technologies, vaccines, seafood safety, quality testing, non-conventional feeds, coastal pollution monitoring, waste utilization, and value-added fish products.
(Source: ICAR – Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai)
Read more: https://icar.org.in/icar-cife-organises-xvii-convocation-ceremony
