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A virtual workshop was organized by KVK Mohali to create awareness regarding new aquaculture technology, Re-circulating Aquaculture System (RAS) which was attended by thirty-six participants including practicing fish farmers, women and youth. According to Dr. Vikas Phulia, Assistant Professor (Fisheries), RAS technology is a low volume smart technology that requires only 10-15% land/water compared to traditional fish farming practices. The requirement of less space and water assumes great significance in today’s time when arable land and groundwater resources are dwindling. This technology is well suited for a peri-urban district like Mohali and already two RAS farms have been established in the district. Dr. Phulia also delivered a talk on ‘Basic Components and Design of RAS’ wherein he shared fundamental knowledge regarding the various components of RAS and various design modules. Mr. Viswanadha Raju, the managing director of Kravis Aqua, Hyderabad, and a renowned RAS consultant was invited as a resource person to describe the status and scope of RAS farming in India. Mr. Raju established the first commercial RAS system in the country and his firm provides consultancy for RAS systems in India and Africa. He advocated the adoption of this technology to enhance the farm income manifold and offered technical support to interested farmers.
A Kolkata-based young entrepreneur Mr. Debtanu Burman, the founder & CEO of Aqua One Centre, a firm dealing in consultancy and fish farm inputs supply gave an insight into culture practices followed by farmers in the Eastern region of the country pertaining to RAS. Sh. Jatinder Singh Gill, Senior Fisheries Officer, District Fisheries Department, Rupnagar provided an overview of Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojna (PMMSY) launched by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, GOI in 2020 with an estimated budget outlay of Rs. 20,000 crores for a period of 5 years (2020-21 to 2024-25), to harness production potentials of inland and marine aquatic resources. Under this scheme, financial subsidy to the tune of 40% and 60% is provided to General and SC/ST/women, respectively for establishing RAS farm.
