Port Blair, Oct.18: A three days training programme on ‘Crab Fattening and Shrimp Farming’ organized by the Department of Fisheries in association with ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute (CIARI), Garacharma and Rajiv Gandhi Center for Aquaculture (RGCA), Kodiaghat was inaugurated by Shri Balwan Singh Jaglan, IAS, Secretary (Fisheries) today at Fisheries Training Centre, Marine Hill. This programme is organized under Skill Development Scheme of Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) with the financial support from NFDB, Hyderabad.
In his inaugural address, the Secretary (Fisheries) called upon the participants to take benefit of the training programme considering the market demand of crab and prawn, especially during peak tourist seasons. He informed the gathering that the Department has sufficient fund under PMMSY for providing financial assistance for venturing into such activities. The Secretary also assured the support of Administration in getting advance training for the participants on technology development in mainland institutes for taking up shrimp farming and crab fattening on commercial scale.
Dr. Eaknath B. Chakurkar, Director, CIARI during his address assured all possible support for sparing experts and technology to improve the production performance of various culture systems in the Islands. He also briefed about the recent research developments in the field of Crab and Shrimp farming in the entities of Govt. of India in providing nutritional support to the rural population. He appreciated the efforts of Department of Fisheries for conducting regular trainings and Extension activities in various areas of Fisheries and Aquaculture.
Shri Vikram Singh, Director of Fisheries briefed about the achievements of Department of Fisheries through its previous trainings on Ornamental Fish Breeding, Open Sea cage culture and Fish Value Addition. He explained about the avenues created by Department of Fisheries in creation of entrepreneurship through PMMSY scheme. The Director of Fisheries appealed to the participants from Nicobar District to utilize the Crab resources of Nicobar District in fattening activity. The recent initiatives of A&N Administration for leasing out of brackish water areas; Open Sea Cages and promotion of seafood export to neighbouring countries were also highlighted.
On the occasion, a training manual on ‘Crab Fattening and Shrimp Farming’ was also released by the Secretary (Fisheries) and other dignitaries.
The three days training programme is aimed to provide knowledge on various aspects of Shrimp and Crab fattening from design, layout of Brackishwater farms, pre-stocking management, nutritional and aquatic health management, techniques of crab fattening, economics and marketing of Crab and cultures shrimp etc. Field visits to the Shrimp Farm and Crab Fattening Facility has also been planned.
Altogether, 25 selected beneficiaries belonging to Tribal Community and unemployed youth, fishers, farmers and other stake holders of A&N Islands are participating in the training.
Earlier, Dr. K. Gopal, Joint Director (Fisheries) welcomed the gathering. Shri S.U Maheshwar Rao, Member, Governing Body Member, NFDB, Hyderabad also spoke on the occasion.
