One day farmer’s interaction meet on aquaculture for the livelihood development to Scheduled Caste communities was organized at vill. Buddhapur, Distt.-South 24 Parganas, West Bengal by the Kakdwip Research Centre of ICAR – Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (CIBA) on 3rd January, 2022. The programme was aimed to create awareness on seed production and farming of brackishwater fishes among women participants. Thirty participants attended the programme under the Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCSP) of the institute.
During the meet, Dr. T.K. Ghoshal, Principal Scientist (OIC i/c) briefed about various kinds of brackishwater aquaculture farming based livelihood activities to the participants. He also emphasized on the importance of the feed and feeding of fishes during pond and cage based farming for realizing higher productivity. Dr. Prem Kumar, Senior Scientist briefed about seed production of brackishwater fishes and emphasized about Mystus gulio seed production and hapa breeding of ornamental fishes. Mrs. Babita Mandal spoke about breeding and seed production of spotted scat (Scatophagus argus) as an important livelihood option. Dr. Leesa Priyadarshani discussed on different diseases and its management during culture. Mrs. Chhanda Mazumder, Senior Technical Officer appraised the participants about the SC-SP interventions undertaken by KRC-CIBA. This was followed by a detailed interaction with the farmers on problems and prospects of technology adoption in brackishwater aquaculture. At the end of the programme fish seeds and other accessories for their culture were distributed to the farmers. A hands-on training was also given on fish seed acclimation, stocking and rearing in pond system. The programme was co-ordinated by Dr, Prem Kumar, Senior Scientist under the guidance of Dr. T. Bhuvaneswari, Scientist and Nodal Officer, SC SP.
