Strengthening Inland Fisheries: Shri George Kurien’s Visit to ICAR-CIFRI

Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairy Mr. George Kurian visited the ICAR – Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CIFRI) on 21^st. January, 2025 to have a detailed insight in the research & development followed by the advancements in the pisciculture.

Mr. George Kurian participated in the Ganga River Ranching program by successfully releasing 0.58 lakh advanced fingerlings of Indian Major Carp (viz. Gibelion catla, Labeo rohita, Cirrhinus mrigala) including Bata (Labeo bata) into the Holy Hooghly River. The coveted river ranching program at Gandhi Ghat, Barrackpore, signifies the Government’s dedication in preserving the ecological balance of our sacred rivers, along-with releasing fish fingerlings marks a significant step towards reviving the Hooghly Rivers aquatic biodiversity and promoting sustainable fisheries practices.

The note of praise for CIFRI’s initiative in developing a state-of-the-art laboratories and facilities at ICAR-CIFRI campus, demonstrates the institute’s path-breaking role in promoting sustainable fisheries and enhancing the livelihoods of fisher communities. A demonstration of the much-spoken Drone Technology in Fisheries Application at ICAR-CIFRI has held the honourable minister absolutely spell bound wherein he has urged ICAR-CIFRI and other stakeholders to take key steps for making this drone-based applications reach to the fish farmers and ensure holistic access.

An omnipotence of the visit was catapulted following a tete-e-tete with 125 fisherwomen of Sundarbans particularly from the Basanti Block of the South 24 Parganas of West Bengal. While discussing about the natural challenges related to calamities they face and the support provided by the government to enhance their livelihoods, the learned minister emphasized on adopting precautionary sustainable practices and leveraging new technologies to boost productivity and income. During his interaction with fishers and fish farmers, Mr. Kurian highlighted the remarkable increase in India’s fish production over the past decade, from 95.79 lakh tons to 175.45 lakh tons.  

Mr. Kurian urged to envisage the prescient mind of our beloved Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi; who dreams that in the pursuit of India – a developed country by 2047; every fish farmer has to increase their income by availing different government schemes including those for FFPOs, Resilient Fishing Village scheme, PMMSY, NABARD etc.

Being aphoristic about the government’s efforts to improve the sector through various schemes like PMMSY in recent years, which is exponential in the terms of growth is a testament to the resilience and dedication of our fishers and fish farmers. He also had adulated the scientists of ICAR-CIFRI for developing technologies and transferring those for development of fishers and fish farmers.

Appreciating the efforts of Union Fisheries Department for the development of Inland Fisheries sector, Dr. Basanta Kumar Das, Director, ICAR-CIFRI narrated the future plans of the Institute. On this occasion, CIFRI took an opportunity to showcase the exhibits depicting their products and technologies for distinguished visitors and fishers which has garnered appreciation.