Jaisamand hosts ‘Aqua Reach’ program for fish farmers

UDAIPUR, Rajasthan — The National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE), Hyderabad, in association with the Fisheries Department of the Rajasthan government, organised an “Aqua Reach” programme on Friday at Jaisamand to provide fish farmers with information about government schemes and strengthen their capacity in fisheries-related activities. The programme was organised at the office of the Fisheries Development Officer, Jaisamand, for members of fish-producing cooperative societies from Jaisamand and Daya Dam. A total of 62 members of fisheries cooperative societies participated in the programme. Dr. Deepika Paliwal, Deputy Director (Fisheries Extension), welcomed the guests and participants and outlined the objectives of the programme. She also gave an overview of fishing activities being carried out by tribal fishermen at Jaisamand under the zero-revenue model. Joint Director Dr. Anil Kumar Joshi briefed the participants about various departmental fisheries schemes and the subsidies and financial assistance available under them. MANAGE Hyderabad programme coordinator Mahival Singh welcomed the participants and explained the objectives and activities of the institute. Former Joint Director of the Fisheries Department Dr. Aqeel Ahmed held discussions with tribal fishermen on the difficulties faced by cooperative societies in implementing the zero-revenue fishing model at Jaisamand and possible solutions. He called for regular audits of fisheries cooperative societies, timely general body meetings and elections in coordination with the Cooperative Department. He also suggested that members register themselves on the National Fisheries Digital Platform. Assistant Fisheries Development Officer Sajjan Singh explained the process of forming multipurpose fisheries cooperative societies. At the conclusion of the programme, Praveen Kumar Meena and Dharmendra Meena of Daya Fish Farmer Producer Organisation, Ratanlal, manager of Patan Cooperative Society, and Lokesh Meena of Sarada Cooperative Society shared their views and described the programme as useful. Certificates were distributed to all participants. Dr. Paliwal thanked the guests and participants at the end of the programme. Workshop for aqua entrepreneurs A day earlier, MANAGE Hyderabad, in association with the Rajasthan Fisheries Department, organised an aqua entrepreneurship workshop in Udaipur to strengthen fish farmers and aqua entrepreneurs through business-oriented knowledge and institutional support. More than 65 participants, including fish farmers, fisheries contractors, members of fisheries cooperative societies, departmental officials and subject experts, attended the workshop. Former Deputy Director of the Fisheries Department Arun Purohit and Joint Director Dr. Aqeel Ahmed were also present. In the inaugural session, Fisheries Department Director Sanchita Bishnoi highlighted the growing importance of entrepreneurship in inland fisheries and the opportunities available in the sector. She said Rajasthan has around 4.30 lakh hectares of water area available for fisheries and emphasised the potential of cage culture, shrimp farming, intensive fish farming and adequate fish seed production to increase output and generate employment. Bishnoi said fish farmers and entrepreneurs can benefit from the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana and other schemes of the Government of India. Joint Director Dr. Anil Kumar Joshi explained departmental schemes, institutional support and financial assistance available to new entrepreneurs. Former Dean of the College of Fisheries, Udaipur, Dr. L.L. Sharma, Dr. Subodh Kumar Sharma and Associate Professor Dr. M.L. Ojha discussed challenges in fish farming in Rajasthan, modern aquaculture practices and advanced technologies for improving production and quality.