Boosting Inland Fisheries: CIFRI Trains Odisha Officials for Sustainable Development

July 25 : The ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (CIFRI), Barrackpore, recently conducted a five-day training programme for officials from the Department of Fisheries, Government of Odisha, aiming to enhance fish production and boost the livelihoods of fisherfolk across the state.

Held from July 21 to 25, the programme focused on disease diagnosis and laboratory testing techniques, specially tailored for young officials after assessing their training needs. A total of 29 participants, including 15 women, took part in an immersive learning experience that included 11 classroom sessions, two practical laboratory sessions, and two field exposure visits.

During the inaugural session, CIFRI Director Dr. B.K. Das has emphasised the importance of hands-on skill development, underscoring how these capacities can be shared with fishers to improve their income and livelihoods.

Training topics ranged from inland fisheries management, soil and water quality analysis, and common fish diseases to diagnostic methods, pen culture, and GIS application in fisheries. The participants also explored the East Kolkata Wetlands, engaging in practical field activities. The programme received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with 90% of attendees expressing high satisfaction and noting its relevance to their professional growth.

At the valedictory session, Dr. Srikanta Samanta congratulated the trainees and awarded them certificates of completion. The initiative was coordinated by Dr. Aparna Roy and Dr. Vikash Kumar, The training programme highlighted CIFRI’s commitment in translating scientific knowledge into tangible improvements for sustainable inland fisheries management in Odisha.

Team Maverick