Twenty seven aspiring youth, women and entrepreneurs from Punjab and Haryana attended 5 days training program on ‘Fish Farming’ organized by College of Fisheries, Guru Angad 
Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU). Dr. Meera D. Ansal, Head Department of Aquaculture and Course Coordinator of the training programme, informed that such type of training programs are being organized with major focus on providing self employment skills to various stake holders like unemployed youth, rural women and farming community, besides updating the scientific skills of the fish farmers with new technologies for maintaining sustainably optimized production levels.
The technical coordinators Dr. Abhishek Srivastava and Dr. Sachin O. Khairnar briefed that the trainees were provided complete hands on training from construction of pond to preparation, stocking and management of pond till harvesting and marketing. Demonstration cum practical sessions were organized for seed handling, stocking, water quality management, feed formulation and manufacturing, health management practices and disease diagnosis and treatment in respect to different species like carps, pangas catfish and shrimps. Practical hands on training in fish processing for preservation 
and value addition was also given to the trainees, who were also updated about various integrated fish farming models and importance of mass media in creating an effective market for their produce. Through a special session, the trainees were updated about various ongoing promotional schemes of the State for providing startup financial assistance for fish, shrimp and integrated fish farming, besides enlightening them about various livestock training programs and extension activities organized by GADVASU for the welfare of livestock farming community. For acquiring an insight into fish marketing, visit of trainees to Ludhiana fish market was organized, where they interacted with fishing parties, wholesalers and retailers to understand the existing marketing system, which is the ultimate backbone of any farming system.
During the valedictory function, the chief guest, Dr. Harish Kumar Verma, Director, Extension Education, GADVASU motivated the farmers to acquire scientific skills and remain
attached with the University for reaping maximum economic benefits from their landholdings through various livestock farming practices in a sustainable manner. In view of development of shrimp farming in south west salt affected districts of the State, Punjab is moving very fast towards ‘Blue Revolution’ plateau, said Dr. Kulbir Singh Sandhu, Dean, College of Fisheries. He further added that there is great potential of developing fisheries in village ponds and salt affected water logged areas, holding immense potential towards food and livelihood security and subsequently socio-economic development of the farming community and the nation as well.
