The ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, Bhubaneswar in association with Darbar Sahitya Sansad (DSS), NGO launched the “Bhargabi Fish Farmers Producers Company Limited” at Naroda, Khordha in recent.
The Chief Guest, Dr. Basudeb Behera, Professor & Head, Agronomy, Odisha University of Agriculture & Technology, Bhubaneswar urged for adopting the innovative practices in cultivation of vegetables and other crops.
Dr Manas K. Sinha, Senior Executive Director, National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), Hyderabad apprised the participants about various schemes on freshwater aquaculture. He mentioned about Brood bank facilities, capacity building programmes being implemented by NFDB. Dr Sinha regarded the Blue Revolution Scheme as a bouquet of schemes to support the fish farmers. He also encouraged the farmers for coming up with the good proposals for consideration of funding by NFDB.
Padmanava Chaudhury, Director of Bhargabi Fish Farmers Producers Company Limited acknowledged the support of CIFA, NABARD and other stakeholders in establishing the FPO.
Dr G.S. Saha, HoD, ICAR-CIFA encouraged the farmers for forming the aggregate. Dr Saha accentuated on the great role of the FPOs right from the production to marketing of the produce and in disseminating the market information, technology and innovations.
The dignitaries also released the Publication on Farmers’ First project operated by ICAR-CIFA. The dignitaries launched Bhargabi Fish Farmers Producers Company Limited. Earlier, Kedareswar Choudhury, Secretary, Darbar Sahitya Sansad welcomed the guests.
Six selected farmers were felicitated during the occasion for their contribution in aggregating the producers and forming the FPOs.Around 150 farmers including 90 women participated in the meet.
