Bhubaneswar,29/01/2025 ( Odisha Samachar )-One KisanMela cum exhibition on Freshwater Aquaculture was organised by ICAR- Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture today at Kausalyaganga on the outskirts of the city. It was attended over 460 farmers and farm women fromAngul,Bhadrak,Dhenkanal,Jagatsingpur, Khordha and Puri Districts of Odisha.
The Mela was Inaugurated by his ReveredSwami Atmaprabhanandaji, Secretary Maharaj, RamakrishnaMission, Bhubaneswar. He appreciated the efforts done by the ICAR-CIFA for transfer of various technologies to the farmers.He emphasized the importance of this KisanMela cum exhibition for the farmers. Others present on the occasion were Dr. Arjamadutta Sarangi, Director, ICAR-IIWM; Prof.Prasannajit Mishra, Dean, Extension Education, OUAT;Dr. BibudhaParasar, Professor, Dept. of Agricultural Extension and Communication, SOA.
Earlier, Dr. P. K. Sahoo, Director, ICAR-CIFA, welcomed the dignitaries and farmers. He stressed on scientific fish farming for farmers. He also briefed about the Institutes activities aimed at economic empowerment of the weaker sections of the society especially the scheduled caste community. During the year 2024, the institute organised a number of interface meetings; awareness programmes; technology transfer and demonstration; trainings and provided critical inputs to over 3000 farm families across eight states. Important technologies that are demonstrated are include scientific carp culture, ornamental fish farming, carp seed rearing, catfish rearing and integrated fish farming.
An exhibition was also organised as a part of this KisanMela where in eight organisations dealing with agriculture and allied sectors have showcased their products, technologies and publications. Sri S. Singh, SMS (Agronomy) KVK, Khordhawas felicitated by theinstitute in recognition of his 36 years of long service for the upliftment of the farming community.
During the Scientist Farmer Interface domain experts from various disciplines, Animal Husbandry, Horticulture, Aquaculture, Crop Sciences, Tuber crops etc. took the questions directly from the farmers and addressed in local language.Dr. G. S. Saha, Principal Scientist proposed the vote of thanks.The programme was coordinated by Dr. Ashish Saha,Co-Coordinator-SCSP Programmeand Principal Scientist, ICAR-CIFA.