MPEDA, CIFA reach out to aqua farmers

The Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA) and the Fisheries Department arranged stalls at Pavitra Sangamam Ghat in the city on Tuesday.

With the slogan ‘Blue Revolution and Blue Economy,’ the MPEDA authorities arranged a one-day stall and explained the farmers on seafood export potential and the demand for aquaria fish in the international market.

The CIFA officials arranged stalls with the photographs of freshwater fish at the ghat at Ibrahimpatnam. Scientists of the Fisheries Research Station of Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University (SVU), Undi, in West Godavari district arranged a stall with diseases in different fish species.

The Fisheries Department arranged a stall and explained the farmers on the schemes introduced by the government for aqua farmers.

“We explained the farmers on the schemes introduced by Government of India for the benefit of aqua farmers. The MPEDA has arranged a display of fish in the stall and the response was good,” said MPEDA Deputy Director S. Kandan.

National Centre for Sustainable Aquaculture Chief Executive Officer (CEO) K. Shanmukha Rao of Kakinada gave a demo on sustainable aquaculture to the shrimp farmers.

AP Dairy Development Corporation displayed the milk, sweets, flavoured milk and other varieties being prepared by the corporation.

Principal Scientist and Head of Fisheries Research Station of Undi, Suguna Tummala said that farmers should have knowledge on the diseases in fish and prevent production losses.

“Many farmers are suffering huge losses due to lack of knowledge on diseases in fish varieties. The government is arranging training for farmers on disease eradication in aquaculture,” Prof. Suguna said.

Source : The Hindu