ICAR-CIFA, Bhubaneswar Organizes Workshop on ‘Genetically Improved Quality Fish Seed: Transforming Aquaculture in West Bengal’

The workshop was inaugurated in the presence of distinguished dignitaries, including Mr. Amarnath Shakha, MLA, ONDA, officials from the Department of Fisheries, Government of West Bengal, and scientists from ICAR-CIFA. During the inaugural session, Bengali extension leaflets on NBC for Jayanti rohu, CIFA-Amrit catla, and the CIFABROOD carp broodstock diet were released to benefit all stakeholders.

Dr P. K. Sahoo, Director, ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, Bhubaneswar, in his address, emphasized the use of innovative technologies developed by ICAR-CIFA and other research institutions to benefit farmers.  He advocated adopting scientific interventions in aquaculture, with particular reference to fish disease management.

Dr T.K. Ghoshal, Head, ICAR-CIFE Kolkata center, emphasized skill enhancement of the farmers. Mr. Atanu Nandi, Secretary, Ramsagar Anchal Macch Dimpona Uptadak Primary Cooperative Society Limited, urged all society members/farmers to adopt scientific seed production practices to supply quality fish seed across India, including improved varieties.

Dr Kiran Lal Das, Assistant Director, Fisheries, Bankura, appreciated the efforts of ICAR and emphasized the wider adoption of Improved varieties to produce quality fish seed in Ramsagar and across West Bengal.

The opportunities for culturing “CIFA-GI ScampiTM” in West Bengal were presented, along with an overview of the benefits of CIFABROODTM for quality fish seed production. Experts from ICAR-CIFA delivered technical lectures and interacted with farmers, hatchery owners, and fisheries officials on key challenges related to biosecurity, inbreeding, and the adoption of improved technologies. Experiences on the benefits of improved varieties in the state were also shared.

The workshop provided an effective platform for knowledge exchange among scientists, fisheries officials, hatchery operators, and fish farmers, facilitating the adoption of genetically improved fish seed technologies for sustainable aquaculture development in West Bengal.

The interactive session provided an opportunity for farmers and scientists to discuss field-level issues, challenges, and technological aspects related to improved fish seed production and aquaculture practices.

•    Establish regional brood banks for species diversification
•    Strengthen broodstock certification and hatchery accreditation
•    Ramsagar, West Bengal, as Carp fish Seed cluster 
•    Expand training and capacity building for farmers
•    Promote digital seed traceability systems
•    Prioritize public–private partnerships for seed dissemination

More than 220 farmers, hatchery owners, and entrepreneurs from Ramsagar, Bankura, and nearby districts attended the workshop.

(Source: ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, Kausalyaganga, Bhubaneswar)