Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Prof S P Singh Baghel visited the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CMFRI), Kochi on 25th August 2024. The Minister was on a visit to Kerala to review the activities of the Central fisheries institutes in the state.
In an interactive meeting held at ICAR-CMFRI, Hon’ble Minister outlined the Central Government’s ambitious plans to revitalize India’s fisheries sector. Emphasizing the untapped potential of both marine and inland fisheries, the Minister expressed confidence in the country’s ability to achieve self-sufficiency in this vital industry, similar to the Green Revolution’s success in agriculture. To accelerate progress, the Minister urged scientists to engage with rural communities, disseminating innovative technologies and promoting sustainable practices. He also highlighted that boosting fish production, enhancing the livelihood of fishers and farming communities, and modernization of infrastructure are Government’s key priorities.
The Union Minister released ICAR-CMFRI’s specially formulated fish feed ‘Silver grow’ for use in the cage farming of silver pompano fish, and nutraceutical products for use against hypertension and cardiac hypertrophy. He inaugurated the newly established molecular taxonomy laboratory of the institute to characterize the marine biodiversity at the species and sub-species level. Union Minister Baghel lauded ICAR-CMFRI for its crucial role in advancing the marine fisheries sector through groundbreaking research on marine biodiversity and sustainable marine fisheries. ICAR-CMFRI’s community-oriented initiatives helped empowering the local fishing communities and promote sustainable practices in the sector, the Union Minister added.
Dr Grinson George, Director of ICAR-CMFRI greeted the Minister and apprised him of the activities of the institute. Dr George Ninan, Director of ICAR-CIFT, Dr Shine Kumar C S, Director of NIFPHATT, Zonal Director of FSI and officials from State Fisheries Department and Animal Husbandry Department attended the meeting.
