STATE : The College of Fisheries, CAU (Imphal), in association with the North East Society for Fisheries and Aquaculture (NESFA), India, celebrated the 24th National Fish Farmers’ Day at the college campus on July 10, 2024. The crucial day is celebrated in India in commemoration of the revolutionary “Induced Breeding Technology” developed by Dr. Hiralal Choudhury and Dr. K. H. Alikhuni on July 10, 1957, which changed the face of Indian aquaculture.

Welcoming the gathering, Prof. A. B. Patel, Dean of the college, Convener, and Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the program, highlighted the significant contributions of the farmers towards the development of the fisheries sector as well as the role of the College of Fisheries in helping and supporting them. He also acknowledged the support and guidance from Dr. Anupam Mishra, Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor of CAU (Imphal).

The Chief Guest of the program, Dr. Ph. Ranjit Sharma, Director of Extension Education, CAU, Imphal, graced the occasion and inaugurated the Exhibition cum Technology Showcasing. He applauded the college staff and students for their collective initiative. In his keynote address, Dr. Sharma emphasized the importance of the day and mentioned the key initiatives of the CAU, Imphal, towards sustainable fishery development in the region.

Progressive fish farmers, namely Mr. Rockson Kashung (Manipur), Mr. Khalainbor Pale (Meghalaya), Ms. Yeamoty Pigyor (Arunachal Pradesh), Mr. Da Norbu Sherpa (Sikkim), Mr. Ramdi Thou (Nagaland), Mr. Jaydev Sarkar (Assam), Mr. LALHMUNSANGA (Mizoram), and Mr. Sujit Das (Tripura), were awarded by the Chief Guest and other dignitaries for their remarkable entrepreneurship contributions to different avenues of fisheries and aquaculture, such as seed production, rearing, and grow-out. The guests at the event distributed fish seeds and other technology products to the fish farmers of Tripura under this program.

The program was jointly sponsored by NABARD, SBI, NFDB, ONGC, TECHNOPREZ, etc. Around two hundred (200) fish farmers joined the program and interacted with the experts. The event was telecast live on social media pages through the Public Relations and Media Management Cell of the college. A Farmers-Scientists Workshop was also held on “Blue Transformation in North East India: Farmers’ Perspectives,” witnessing wide participation from different sections.