Amidst COVID pandemic, the meeting of ‘Innovative Fish Farmers Association’, Punjab (IFFA) was organised by College of Fisheries, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU), Ludhiana, on a virtual platform to collect feedback on lockdown setback on fish farming. Strategic resilience action plan to mitigate the anticipated production losses during the current year was also discussed. Dr Prabjeet Singh and Dr Sachin O. Khairnar, Assistant Professors, coordinated the meeting and delivered expert lectures on “Judicious Use of Probiotics and Its Benefit in Aquaculture” and “Care of Fish during Monsoon”, respectively. Dr Amit Mandal, Assistant Professor, Department of Aquaculture apprised the farmers to re-cyclic farm waste into aquaculture through vermicomposting for added economic benefits. Queries of farmers were addressed through an interactive session between farmers and the faculty of the college.
Dr Meera D. Ansal, Head, Department of Aquaculture applauded the team for organising IFFA meeting successfully through electronic media, adhering to COVID social distancing guidelines. Assuring continued technical support to farmers via different electronic tools, she impressed that every sector has to change and adapt to post COVID social setup, so as to sustain production targets through novel scientific interventions. Further, she added that a patient positive attitude is also required to bounce back to normal in the future.
Expressing sincere concerns for the farming community, Dr Kulbir Singh Sandhu, Dean, College of Fisheries informed that university has left no stone unturned in continuing its academic and extension activities during COVID lockdown period and is still exploring every possible solution to serve the farmers of the state with the required technical assistance and guidance. Dr Harish Kumar Verma, Director, Extension Education, GADVASU informed that university is providing consistent support to the farmers through online consultancy, webinars, training etc. and timely publication of university monthly extension magazine “Vigyanik Pashu Palan”, including specific advisories for livestock, poultry and fish farmers of the State.
