Capacity Building of Fish Farmers through Skill Development Training and Critical Input Distribution by ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education under NEH programme on "Advances in sustainable aquaculture practices" being organized by ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education (ICAR-CIFE), Kolkata Centre in collaboration with the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, GoN got underway on 21st March at Brooder Fish Farm, Dimapur. The training programme will be held from 21st -23rd March, 2022.

To meet up the increasing fish demand with accelerating population, aquaculture is the only option for utilizing untapped resources. In India, aquaculture is an important sector of food production which is growing very fast with its rapid expansion. However, due to lack of scientific knowledge and skill of fish farmers on aquaculture along with availability of quality farming inputs, few North-Eastern states including Nagaland are lagging behind in fish production. With the objective of empowering the small and marginal farmers of Nagaland by imparting practical knowledge and skills, a three-day skill development training programme is been held.

Deputy Director of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Dr. Vimezo Kire, chairing the inaugural programme urged the participant-farmers to make full use of the training and adopt scientific fish farming practices to enhance productivity and improve their livelihood.

Senior Scientist and Training Coordinator, ICAR-CIFE, Kolkata Centre, Dr. Gouranga Biswas delivered various classes as a resource person on modern and innovative methods of fish culture, soil and water quality management, and feed and feeding strategies in aquaculture. He also suggested use of high value fish species and utilization of natural fish food items, such as planktons and periphyton in aquaculture to increase return from existing farming systems. 

Technical Officer, ICAR-CIFE, Kolkata Centre, Prakash Kumar Behera, demonstrated the preparation of fish feed and analysis of water quality parameters, and recommended application of agricultural lime to reclaim the acidic soil and water of Dimapur. 

DFO Dimapur, Sunep briefed on various developmental schemes of Department of the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Govt. of Nagaland. He expressed that the training would immensely benefit the fish farmers who lack knowledge on scientific fish farming to improve their livelihood by adopting advanced and sustainable methods of aquaculture and using the critical inputs distributed.  

A total of 50 fish farmers participated and received critical inputs for fish farming, such as fish feed, lime, CIFE developed water pH and dissolved oxygen testing kits and study materials from the organizers. The farmers shared their happiness on their skill development and receipt of aquaculture inputs which will surely help in improvement of fish production of the district and the state as well. 

(Tovikali, IA, Chumoukedima)