College of Fisheries (COF), Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana org
anized a 5 days skill development training program (SDTP) on ‘Fish Farming’ for SC stakeholders, in collaboration with Central Institute of Fisheries Education (CIFE). It was under the Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SC-SP) scheme of Government of India. The course director, Dr. Vaneet Inder Kaur informed that 25 SC candidates from Punjab participated. Course was designed to impart an entrepreneurial aptitude among the trainees to take up ‘Fish 
Farming’ as a promising business endeavor for livelihood and employment generation.
Dr. Grishma Tewari and Dr. Amit Mandal coordinated the technical sessions covering the complete ‘Package of Practice’ of fish farming from ‘Pond to Plate’. The trainees received real-time practical exposure in different aquaculture practices/systems, including water quality, feeding and health management in pond aquaculture; integrated fish farming; climate smart technologies like biofloc aquaculture, recirculatory aquaculture and aquaponics; and processing. The trainees also visited the farm of progressive fish farmer, Mr. Jasvir Singh Aujla and modern fish market in Ludhiana district, for practical experiences . Information regarding the utility services of Varsity and schemes for development of the fisheries sector was also shared.
Dr. Meera D. Ansal, Dean COF, informed training programs on ornamental fisheries, fish processing, and integrated fish farming
will be conducted under the scheme to provide diverse skills to the community . Dr. Prakash Singh Brar, Director Extension Education said that such training programs are aimed to uplift the SC communities through skill development and technical hand holding by the university.
Dr. Ravishankar, C. N., Director and Vice-Chancellor, ICAR-CIFE, Mumbai advocated that social equity demands special attention and interventions to help the disadvantaged socio-economic groups, where skill development plays an important role in filling the gaps.
Dr. Inderjeet Singh, Vice Chancellor highlighted that vet varsity offers academic and capacity building programs for education, social and economic development of weaker sections of the society, where livestock and fisheries sectors provide varied livelihood and employment opportunities
