National Fisheries Development Board, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India is celebrating the National Fish Farmers Day on 10th July 2022 today virtually at NFDB Hyderabad.
Around 700 fish farmers, aquapreneurs & fisher folks, professionals, officials and scientists from across the nation are expected to participate in the event. National Fish Farmers Day is celebrated on 10th July 2022 every year to demonstrate solidarity with all fisher folk, fish farmers and concerned stakeholders throughout the Country. It is the 65th National Fish Farmers Day being celebrated across the Country.
During the program, interaction with progressive fish farmers under PMMSY scheme, fish farmers availing quality seed from NFFBB giving feedback on growth performance of improved seed varieties and interaction with North East fish farmers to share their prospects in fisheries sector is also planned. The entire program shall be livestreamed for reaching out to more public across the country.
Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Balyan, Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying and Dr. L. Murugan, Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying will grace the occasion.
NFDB Lab project on “Assessment of pathogenic microorganisms along with nutrient and residual contaminant profiling in fish and aqua Feeds” will be launched by Shri Jatindra Nath Swain, IAS Secretary (Fisheries).
Every year, this annual event is celebrated to commemorate Professor Dr. Hiralal Chaudhury and his colleague Alikunhi for their contribution in achieving the successful induced breeding of major carps on 10th July, 1957 at Angul in Odisha for the first time in the country through administration of carp pituitary hormone extract in the breeding of major carps.
The technology was later on standardized and fine-tuned by developing synthetic hormone for quality seed production across the country. This pioneering work of induced breeding over the years has transformed the growth of aquaculture sector from traditional to intensive aquaculture practices and led to success of modern aquaculture industry.
PIB quotes the Government of India is in the forefront in transforming the fisheries sector and bringing about economic revolution through Blue Revolution in the country. The sector envisioned to increase the farmers’ income through enhancement of production and productivity, improving the quality and reduction of waste.
Considering the Centrally Sponsored Scheme “Blue Revolution” – Integrated Development and Management of Fisheries which was launched in 2016 and had made vital contributions towards the development of the sector and during 2020, Hon’ble Prime Minister launched the “Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) with a budget of over Rs. 20,050 crores for a period of five years. PMMSY aims to achieve fish production of 22 MMT from the current 13.76 MMT by 2024-25 and create an additional employment opportunity to about 55 lakh people through this sector.
The Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) scheme was started in 2018-19 with a budget of Rs. 7,522.48 crores, which is also continuing presently. FIDF will specifically cater to creation of fisheries infrastructure facilities both in marine and inland fisheries sectors.