Sri Vijaya Puram, July 23: The Chairman of the Andaman & Nicobar Fisheries Cooperative Federation Ltd. (ANIFCOFED), Mr. S. U. Maheswar Rao, has urged the Chief Secretary, Andaman & Nicobar Administration, to take immediate steps to restart and conduct regular training programmes for fishermen, fish farmers, entrepreneurs, students and other stakeholders in the fisheries and aquaculture sector.
In a letter addressed to the Chief Secretary, Mr. Rao highlighted the need for technical training and practical exposure in modern fisheries and aquaculture activities. He stated that the islands possess immense potential in marine fisheries, aquaculture, mariculture and seafood-related entrepreneurship, but many stakeholders require proper training and guidance before starting or expanding their activities.
The proposed training programmes include cage culture and marine aquaculture, shrimp farming, crab culture and mud crab fattening, seaweed culture, ornamental fish culture, deep-sea fishing and tuna fisheries, fish processing and value addition, post-harvest management, cold chain and marketing, and modern fishing technology.
Mr. Rao requested the Administration to conduct regular practical and residential training programmes in collaboration with reputed fisheries institutions, NFDB Hyderabad, ICAR institutes, universities and other expert organisations. He also sought financial support through NFDB and suitable UT Administration Plan Schemes, with the active cooperation of ANIFCOFED.
He further stressed the importance of exposure visits, demonstrations and hands-on training, particularly for fishermen, fish farmers, unemployed youth, women, students and aspiring entrepreneurs. He proposed the establishment of an annual training calendar so that programmes could be conducted regularly across different islands and districts according to local requirements.
According to Mr. Rao, the revival of such training programmes would generate employment, promote self-employment, increase fish production, encourage scientific fisheries practices and strengthen the blue economy of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Copies of the representation have been forwarded to the Chief Executive Officer, National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), Hyderabad; Secretary (Fisheries), Andaman & Nicobar Administration; and Director of Fisheries, Andaman & Nicobar Administration, for information and necessary action.
