Udaipur, : An ‘Aqua Entrepreneur’ Orientation Programme was organised at the Fisheries Department office in Udaipur on Wednesday under the joint aegis of the National Institute of Agricultural Development Management (MANAGE), Hyderabad, and the Department of Fisheries, Government of Rajasthan.
The programme was organised in collaboration with the State Fisheries Research, Training and Extension Office, Udaipur, with the objective of empowering fish farmers and aquapreneurs through knowledge of business opportunities, modern technologies and government support available in the fisheries sector.
Fish farmers, fisheries contractors, members of fisheries cooperative societies, departmental officials and subject experts participated in the programme. Former Deputy Director of the Fisheries Department Arun Purohit and Joint Director Dr. Aqeel Ahmed were also present.
Emphasis on Entrepreneurship in Inland Fisheries
During the inaugural session, Director of Fisheries, Government of Rajasthan, Smt. Sanchita Bishnoi highlighted the growing importance of entrepreneurship in inland fisheries and the emerging opportunities in the sector.
She stated that Rajasthan has around 4.30 lakh hectares of water area available for fisheries. She emphasised the need to expand cage culture, shrimp farming, intensive fish farming and adequate fish seed production to increase fish production and generate employment opportunities.
She also encouraged fish farmers to take advantage of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) and other schemes of the Government of India.
Information on Schemes and Financial Assistance
Joint Director Dr. Anil Kumar Joshi provided detailed information about departmental schemes, institutional support and financial assistance available to prospective entrepreneurs. He encouraged new entrepreneurs to utilise these opportunities to develop fisheries as a sustainable business.
Former Dean of the College of Fisheries, Udaipur, Dr. L.L. Sharma, Dr. Subodh Kumar Sharma and Associate Professor Dr. M.L. Ojha shared their views on the challenges facing fisheries in Rajasthan, modern aquaculture practices and advanced technologies for improving production and quality.
Focus on Cage Culture and Tribal Fisher Welfare
Assistant Fisheries Development Officer Shubham Varshney and Dr. Ravi Kumar Patel provided important information on the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan, being implemented for the welfare of tribal fishing communities, along with details about cage culture-based fish farming.
Progressive and innovative fish farmers from the region—Anand Poobriya, Abhimanyu Singh Chauhan, Kailash Khoiवाल and Owais Barni—shared their experiences and success stories, motivating new participants to explore opportunities in modern fisheries practices.
Certificates Distributed to 65 Participants
Programme Coordinator of MANAGE, Hyderabad, Shri Mahipal Singh welcomed the guests and participants and outlined the objectives of the programme. He informed that 65 participants attended the programme.
At the conclusion, certificates were distributed to all participants by the guests. Deputy Director (Fisheries Extension) Dr. Deepika Paliwal expressed gratitude to all guests and participants.
The programme was conducted by Assistant Fisheries Development Officer Dr. Sheetal Naruka.