Department of Aquaculture, College of Fisheries, Guru AngadDev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU), Ludhiana conducted training on “Breeding and Seed Production of Livebearer Ornamental Fish”for developing entrepreneurial skills among graduating Bachelor of Fisheries Sc. students, under ICAR Development Grant-"Strengthening and Development of Higher Agricultural Education in India- SC-SP Component".
Practical hands-on training in breeding and commercial scale seed production of ornamental fish was provided to ingrain the young minds with the scope and potential of taking up ornamental fisheries as an entrepreneurial activity or opportunity for a promising professional career.
Students were apprised of promotional schemes offering funding support in the field of ornamental fisheries and were guided to develop business plans for establishing small scale backyard ornamental fish breeding and seed production unit,as a start-up enterprise with less land and credit requirements. Starting with species identification, students were mastered brood stock selection, breeding and larval rearing techniques to produce quality seed of live-bearing ornamental fish, under expert guidance of Dr. Vaneet Inder Kaur, Principal Scientist (Fisheries) and Dr. SachinOnkarKhairnar, Scientist (Fisheries).
The training was conceptualized to educate the students to use the acquired skills for cashing in the prospective opportunities in light of increasing demand of aquarium business at state and national levels, besides serving as an efficient human resource in the capacity building chain. Video on ornamental fish breeding, developed by the department under the same scheme, was also provided to the students for future reference and guidance.
In view of employment challenges faced by most of the graduating professional, it becomes essential that our students are skilled and motivated enough to get transformed into a fervent human resource with an entrepreneurial mindset. Hence, College of Fisheries is endeavoring hard to extend sufficient pragmatic exposure to the graduating students through tailored capacity building programs, informed Dean of the College, Dr. Meera D. Ansal.
