An Academia-Industry Conclave and Brainstorming Session on ‘Entrepreneurial Opportunities in Aquatic Animal Health Management’ was organized by the Aquatic Environment and Health Management Division of ICAR-CIFE, Mumbai on July 18, 2024. The aim of the conclave was to motivate and encourage students of fish health towards entrepreneurship and make an acquaintance with the opportunities and avenues available in the field. A total of 17 post graduate nominated students from various fisheries colleges across the country along with 54 students from the AEHM division of ICAR-CIFE, Mumbai participated in the conclave. The event also featured the participation of guests from reputed industry as well as progressive farmers to share their journey of entrepreneurship and successful farming activities respectively to motivate students towards aquafarming. A total of 11 progressive farmers and 12 eminent industry personnel’s represented Indian Immunological Ltd., Hans Aquaculture; Hi-GenomB Himedia Laboratories; West Coast Aquatics; TeORA Life Science Private Limited; Mayank Aquaculture Private Limited; Crusta Fresh; Raftech Solutions Pvt Ltd; Aai Ekira Aqua World; A-mart Aquatic World and Merck Animal Health India etc., associated with fish and shellfish health shared their insights on various aspects relevant to the entrepreneurial opportunities in the field of aquatic animal health. In addition to the industry personnel, Dr. Santhosh M., Assistant Commissioner, represented Animal Quarantine and Certification Services (AQCS) to provide knowledge on the importance of quarantine and import and export regulations of live fishes to the audience.
The inaugural session was graced by our esteemed chief guest Dr. Niteen V Patil, ViceChancellor of Maharashtra Animal and Fishery Sciences University. Dr. Megha K. Bedekar, Principal Scientist & Head, AEHMD, delivered the welcome address, followed by an overview of the program by Dr. Jeena K., Scientist & Programme Coordinator, AEHMD. The opening remarks for the programme was by Dr. N.P. Sahu, Joint Director & PI, NAHEP, ICAR-CIFE, and Dr. C. N. Ravishankar, Director & Vice-Chancellor, ICAR-CIFE delivered the presidential address. Dr. Niteen V. Patil, Vice-Chancellor, Maharashtra Animal and Fishery Sciences University inaugurated the programme and delivered the inaugural address.
The conclave was categorized into three sessions. The session I, ‘Industry Perspectives on Entrepreneurial Opportunities,’ focused on the key points such as the skills required for students for successful entrepreneurship, current gaps and opportunities available in the field of fish health and environment, expected challenges during the entrepreneur journey, support from industry in conducting field trials, funding etc. Dr. Gayatri Tripathi, Principal Scientist, AEHMD, ICAR-CIFE, Mumbai; Dr. Arpita Sharma, Principal Scientist & Head, FEESD, ICAR-CIFE, Mumbai; Dr. Santhosh M. Assistant Commissioner, Animal Quarantine and Certification Services, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, GoI, Mumbai; Dr. Sujata Hajra, Technical manager, Hi Genomb, Himedia Laboratories Private Ltd. and Mr. Nitin Nikam, CEO and Director, West Coast Aquatics Ltd. were the panel experts during the session. The inclusion of field experience in post graduate curriculum was suggested by the industry and farmer participants to understand the real challenges in field and to ignite their entrepreneurship dream. Dr. Saurav Kumar and Ms. Bharathi Rathinam served as the moderators and Dr. Saloni Shivam was the rapporteur for the session.
The session 2, ‘Farm Level Challenges & Opportunities’ majorly concentrated on the progressive farmers and their challenges that can be converted into opportunities by the students. Farmers have shown their support to students in terms of providing farm infrastructure facilities to conduct field level trails of their inventions and also to provide them practical aquafarm experience. Dr. Megha Kadam Bedekar, Head, AEHM Division; Dr. Debajit Sarma, Head, Aquaculture Division, ICAR-CIFE; Dr. Kedar Nath Mohanta, Head, Fish Nutrition Physiology and Biochemistry Division; Mr. Hasan Mhaslai, Proprietor, HANS Aquaculture and Dr. Ajitsinh Patil, President Maharashtra Aquafarmers’ Association were the panel experts for the session. Dr. Jeena K. and Dr. Arun Sharma were the moderators of session and and Ms. R. Bharathi Rathinam was the rapporteur.
Students’ Perspectives and Aqua Health-preneurship was the theme of session 3. A total of 6 oral presentations, 7 poster presentations and 2 exhibit models were displayed and assessed by the experts during the conclave. Best oral, poster and model presentations were awarded with the certificate to the student participants. Dr. S.P. Shukla, Principal Scientist, AEHMD Dr. Mukunda Goswami, Head, Fish Genetics and Biotechnology Division, Dr. P. Pattnaik, Managing Director, Indian Immunological Ltd., Mr. Mayank Sharma, Mayank Aquaculture Private Ltd., and Mr. Siddarth Pammi, Founder, Crusta Fresh, Mumbai were the panel experts for the student’s session. Dr. Kundan Kumar and Dr. Saloni Shivam were the program moderators of the third session and Dr. Jeena K was the rapporteur of the session.
Throughout the sessions, participants engaged in robust discussions and shared valuable insights. After every session, the panel experts provided their inputs on the major points discussed during the session as well as they have answered the queries raised by the students and other participants. Dr. Megha K. Bedekar summed up the conclave, highlighting the key takeaways and future directions. The conclave was concluded with a vote of thanks from Dr. Jeena K., expressing gratitude to all speakers, participants and organizers for their contributions to the success of the conclave. Ms. R. Bharathi Rathinam compered the event. The event was successfully coordinated by Dr. Jeena K, Dr. Saloni Shivam and Ms. R. Bharathi Rathinam, Scientists, AEHM Division under the guidance of Dr. N.P. Sahu, Joint Director and Principal Investigator of NAEHP, ICARCIFE and Dr. Megha Kadam Bedekar, Head of the Division, Aquatic Environment and Health Management Division of ICAR-CIFE, Mumbai.
Read more: https://www.cife.edu.in/pdf/News/Report%20EOAAH%202024–2-8-2024.pdf
Original link: https://www.cife.edu.in
