Dimapur, June 27 (EMN): Niti Aayog has selected Kiphire district under Tribal Sub Plan (TRS) programme out of 39 districts from across India. Under TRS programme, Kiphire district would be given special attention in the field of fisheries by carrying out extensive research to help farmers increase fish production.
This was stated by Dr. BC Mahapatra, chairman of TSP programme, ICAR-CIFA, during the farmers meeting and awareness programme on scientific aquaculture held in the DC’s conference hall, Kiphire. The programme was organised by Indian Council of Agriculture (ICAR) - Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, Bhubaneswar, in collaboration with the state fisheries department. A department press release informed that the programme was organised under Tribal Sub Plan (TRS).
Delivering the welcome address, Dr. BC Mahapatra, informed that Kiphire district was declared by NITI Aayog as one of the districts selected out of 39 districts from across India under Tribal Sub Plan (TRS) programme. Under the TRS programme, he stated that Kiphire would be given special attention in the field of fisheries by carrying out extensive research to help farmers increase fish production. He has asked the department of fisheries to avail assistance from the national fish development board (NFDB). He added that selected fish farmers can be trained in ICAR-CIFA Centres.
Speaking as the chief guest, deputy commissioner, Kiphire, Mohammed Ali Shihab, said imparting scientific knowledge to fish farmers would be a catalyst of change, which would directly help in high production of fish and boost the rural economy.
DC remarked that Kiphire is blessed with rich natural resources with rivers flowing all around and has the potential to be fish hub centre in Nagaland. He, therefore, urged upon the visiting scientists and officials from ICAR-CIFA to prepare a blue-print for a rapid development of fisheries sector in Kiphire. He has further assured all help and cooperation from the district administration.
Commenting on the problems faced by fish farmers, the DC requested the fisheries department to make arrangements for providing cold storage and setting up of hatchery unit in Kiphire to mitigate the problems that farmers are facing.
Making an observation that Kiphire produces finest quality fish in Nagaland, the DC impressed upon the ICAR-CIFA to give special attention to Kiphire as scientific know-how is needed to improve and increase the production of fish that would be economically beneficial to the fishing community of Kiphire.
Dr. BN Paul, ICAR-CIFA co-ordinator of Nagaland TSP programme, stated that the main purpose of the programme was to address the problem faced by the fish farmers where practical assistance would be given. He further added that according to the logistics problems faced by the fishing community, future programme will be designed to address and solve the problems.
Delivering the presidential address, Dr. SS Mishra, director of ICAR-CIFA, said aquaculture is known to bring jobs and infrastructure, particularly in isolated rural areas which provide self sustaining economy.
He maintained that the goal of aquaculture is not only providing nutritional and food security, but also creating opportunities for entrepreneurship, income generation, self-employment, trade and commerce.
Briefly highlighting on the aquaculture perspective in Kiphire, Mhomo Murray, SDFO, Kiphire, mentioned that fish seedlings provided to Kiphire were not enough even at subsidised rate as the demand was extremely high. He said this was because most fish seedlings die during transportation. He pointed out that unless one or more fish hatchery units is set up in Kiphire, problems faced by the fishing farmers in availing fish seedlings would continue to persist.
Dr. K Ezung, PC KVK Kiphire, stated that Krsihi Vigyan Kendra’s (KVK) main role is production and supply of good quality seeds and planting materials, livestock, poultry and fisheries breeds and various bio-products to the farming community. He further added that apart from transferring new technologies to farmers, KVK also undertake vocational training and on-farm testing of technologies.
Altogether 15 fish farmers were also felicitated by ICAR-CIFA. The programme was followed by interaction between scientists and farmers.
