Five-day Training on Fish Farming was organized by the College of Fisheries (COF), Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU), Ludhiana to cater to capacity building needs. 18 aspiring stakeholders from different districts of Punjab, including three prospective women aspirants attended the programme. Training Coordinator Dr. Vaneet Inder Kaur, Principal Scientist (Fisheries) shared the information.
The technical session of the said program was conducted by the technical coordinators Dr. Abhishek Srivastava and Dr. Sachin O. Khairnar, Scientists, COF. The trainees were apprised of the complete ‘Package of Practice’ with on farm practical sessions, including construction and preparation of fish pond; seed quality and stocking management; water quality, feeding and health management; harvesting; processing and value addition; biosecurity and food safety; and marketing strategies. An insight to potential fish farming entrepreneurial activities like feed manufacturing, processing/value addition, ornamental fisheries and aquarium fabrication, intensive aquaculture technologies (Aquaponics, Recirculatory Aquaculture System, Biofloc Aquaculture System) etc. was also provided to the trainees. The trainees visited the Integrated Farming Unit of Punjab Agricultural University; fish farm of progressive farmer, Mr. Jasveer Singh, Village Karodian and modern fish market in district Ludhiana for real time exposure to culture and marketing practices. Trainees were also updated about different capacity building programmes and utility services of GADVASU, along with promotional schemes of state and central govt. Technical pamphlets/booklets were also provided to the participants for reference purposes.
Dr. Meera D. Ansal, Dean, COF, informed that comprehensive skill-oriented training programs are conducted by the college to equip the stakeholders with required expertise to take up aquaculture as an effective entrepreneurial endeavor. Dr. Prakash Singh Brar, Director Extension Education said that the University is proactively involved in capacity building of farmers as well as the entrepreneurial youth and women, to uplift the livestock and fisheries sectors through latest eco-friendly scientific practices, stated.
Dr. Inderjeet Singh, Vice Chancellor informed that need based tailor-made training programs are offered by the university so that optimal economic utilization of available resources could be realised through replication of innovative and safe technological interventions.