College of Fisheries (COF), Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU), Ludhiana celebrated ‘National Fish Farmers Day’ (NFFD) virtually to acclaim fish farmers for their contribution to national economy and food/nutritional security, making India 2nd largest fish producer of the world.
The NFFD is commemorated across India every year to salute Indian Scientists, Dr. Hiralal Chaudhri, also known as ‘Father of Induced Breeding’ and Dr. K. H. Alikunhi for gifting the world with the induced fish breeding technology and lifting Indian aquaculture to ‘Blue Revolution’.
The event constituted of two sessions, where students of COF presented warm gratitude to the fish farmers by showcasing/reciting admiring essays, posters and poems to acknowledge their contribution towards Indian economy through Blue Revolution. In the farmer’s session, video documentary of different fish farmers was shared with over 100 participants. Innovative fish (carp and pangas), shrimp and integrated fish farmers, including progressive women entrepreneurs, shred their experiential journey into aquaculture, instilling young minds of fisheries students with an entrepreneurial zeal. Recognising their well connected linkages with GADVASU, fish farmers extolled the utility services and outreach network of the University, helping in successful adoption of different aquaculture technologies at farm level.
Dr. Vaneet Inder Kaur, Principal Scientist (COF) conceptualized the event under ‘Bharat Ka Amrut Mahotsav’ celebrating 75 years of Indian independence, in collaboration with NAHEP-IDP Cell, GADVASU. Dr. Shanthanagouda A. H. and Dr. Sachin Onkar Khairnar coordinated the ‘Student Session’, while Dr. Grishma Tewari and Dr. Rajinder Kaur coordinated the ‘Farmer Session’.
Applauding remarkable role of the fish farmers in producing quality protein rich food for the mankind, Dr. Meera D. Ansal, Dean COF, acknowledged their contribution in national socio-economic development through livelihood, employment and revenue generation. She also talked about individual accountability in judicious utilization of aquatic resources, on the basis of type and abundance to warrant environmental wellbeing through responsible aquaculture practices.
Extending warm greetings on National Fish Farmers Day, Dr. Inderjeet Singh, Vice Chancellor, GADVASU, congratulated the fish farmers with a message to sustain strong associations with experts for capacity building and scientific updates, for achieving optimised production targets through responsible adoption of innovative sustainable technologies.
