Fish Farmers day
National Fish Farmers’ Day Celebrations at ICAR- Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Kakinada
ICAR-CIFE Kakinada Centre celebrated “National Fish Farmers’ Day”on 10th July 2017. Dr. P. Koteswara Rao, Principal & Additional Director, State Institute of Fishery Technology, Kakinada was the Chief Guest of the function. Dr. K. Madhusudhana Reddy, Director, Bay Fry Hatcheries Pvt. Ltd., and Shri. P. Sandeep, Scientist, FRS, Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University, Kakinada were the Guests of Honour for the programme. Dr. Muralidhar, Officer In-charge, ICAR-CIFE Kakinada Centre, welcomed the dignitaries, progressive fish farmers, farming entrepreneurs, officials and other distinguished guests present at the event. In his address, he recalled the eminent fisheries scientist Dr. Hiralal Chaudhuri, who had for the first time succeeded in induced breeding of carps in India on 10th July 1957 at Angul farm near Cuttack Research Station of CIFRI, and to commemorate this event, the Government of India declared celebration of Fish Farmers’ Day on 10th July of every year. He also briefed about the significant role of CIFE in human resource development for fisheries, fisheries research and extension.
Dr. P. Koteswara Rao, Principal & Additional Director, SIFT said that the aqua farming plays a pivotal role in the economy of Andhra Pradesh and efforts have to be made to increase the field level support to aqua-farmers. He added that presently in Andhra Pradesh aquaculture has vast potential in revenue generation in the form of exports. Dr. K. Madhusudhan Reddy, Director, Bay Fry hatcheries Pvt. Ltd., appreciated the efforts of ICAR-CIFE, Kakinada Centre in identifying and felicitating progressive fish farmers every year, which served as an encouragement to the awardees and was a source of inspiration for other aqua farmers. He also appreciated the efforts of ICAR-CIFE, Kakinada Centre for developing skilled manpower through its one year Skill Development Certificate course on “Fish farming and hatchery operations”. Sh. Sandeep. P, Scientist, FRS, SVVU, Kakinada emphasised the current scenario of shrimp farming in Andhra Pradesh and the importance of selection of quality seed and feed. He added that better management practices and usage of probiotics are the key to success of profitable shrimp aquaculture in Andhra Pradesh.
Two progressive fish farmers Shri. Sathi Suryanarayana Reddy, shrimp farmer & shrimp hatchery owner of Sapthagiri Group of Hatcheries, Srirampuram, U. Kothapalli Mandal, East Godavari Dist., and Shri. Ganni Venkateswara Rao, farmer, Penikeru, East Godavari Dist., were felicitated as the “Best Fish Farmers” for the year 2017.