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Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying also released ‘Revolutionizing Animal Health: Standard Veterinary Treatment Guidelines and Crisis Management Plan during the event.

Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying launched the Pandemic Fund Project on “Animal Health Security Strengthening in India for Pandemic Preparedness and Response” in New Delhi.  The Pandemic Fund Project is a $25 Million initiative funded by the G20 Pandemic Fund.

The “Animal Health Security Strengthening in India for Pandemic Preparedness and Response” initiative will play a key role in reducing the risk of zoonotic diseases that can spread from animals to humans. The Pandemic Fund Project will focus on enhancing India’s animal health systems, thereby fortifying the country’s defences against future pandemics. It will be implemented in partnership with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Bank.

On this occasion the Union Minister also released two important documents aimed at strengthening animal health management in India:

Standard Veterinary Treatment Guidelines (SVTG): A comprehensive document that outlines best practices for veterinary care, aimed at improving the overall health and productivity of livestock and supporting to the national action plan for Anti-microbial resistance.

Crisis Management Plan (CMP) for Animal Diseases: A critical resource that will provide a framework for managing and responding to outbreaks of animal diseases, ensuring rapid containment and mitigation.

These documents will serve as vital tools for veterinarians, policymakers, and field officials, helping to ensure timely and effective responses to animal health crises and improving disease management protocols.

In his address Rajiv Ranjan Singh highlighted the importance of the Livestock Sector as it contributes to the social and economic upliftment of the society.  He stated that the livestock sector has shown immense growth in the last 9 years with the implementation of many schemes of the department. Through National Animal Disease Control Program (NADCP), the department is aiming to control and eradicate Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and Brucellosis from the country.  He said that so far, a total of 90.87 crores FMD vaccines and 4.23 crore vaccines for Brucellosis have been administered. The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying is also planning for creation of FMD Disease Free Zones in nine states of the country.

 He also said that the Pandemic Fund supports the existing initiatives of the department through enhancing disease surveillance including genomic and environmental surveillance for early warning, laboratory infrastructure development, cross-border collaboration, and will create a more integrated system for monitoring and managing zoonotic diseases.

Further, in his address the Union Minister emphasised on the importance of adopting a One Health approach, which integrates human, animal, and environmental health in preventing and managing health crises. With most recent public health emergencies stemming from animal origins, the project reinforces the need to address zoonotic risks to protect both human and animal populations from future pandemics.

Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Ministry of

The guidelines will facilitate import of high-quality seed materials or germplasm from abroad, enabling domestic multiplication for ensuring farmers have access to quality seed stock.

In a significant move, the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying has notified the ‘Guidelines for Import of Live Seaweeds into India’. This initiative aims to bolster the development of seaweed enterprises as a key economic driver for coastal villages, ensuring livelihood sustainability and socio-economic upliftment of the fisher community while upholding environmental protection and biosecurity concerns at the core of all actions.

The guidelines will facilitate import of high-quality seed materials or germplasm from abroad, enabling domestic multiplication for ensuring farmers have access to quality seed stock. Currently, the growth of seaweed enterprises in India faces the challenge of seed availability in sufficient quantity for the commercially valuable species, and quality degradation in the seed materials of Kappaphycus, the most commonly farmed seaweed species.

Pradhan Mantri Matsya sampada Yoiana (PMMSY), the flagship scheme of Government of India envisaged to revolutionize the seaweed sector, aiming to increase seaweed production of the country over 1.12 million tonnes by 2025. Under the scheme, the Government have taken many steps to strengthen the seaweed farming activities the prominent of which is establishment of Multipurpose Seaweed Park in Tamil Nadu with the total investment of Rs 127.7 crore.

The guidelines outline a process for importing live seaweed, including a clear regulatory framework for the import of live seaweed, ensuring transparency and accountability, strict quarantine procedures to prevent introduction of pests and diseases, risk assessment to identify potential biosecurity concerns and post-import monitoring for strengthening ongoing monitoring and risk assessment.

This guideline will encourage responsible cultivation of seaweed, ensuring environmental sustainability and economic growth. Further, the import of new seaweed strains will stimulate research and development, leading to enhanced seaweed production of variety of seaweed species belonging to red, brown and green algae, paving way for development of downstream seaweed processing and value addition enterprises which will yield additional livelihoods in the villages while bolstering the overall export of the country.

As per the guidelines, for import of live seaweed into India, the importers may submit a detailed application to the Department of Fisheries which will be reviewed by the National Committee on Introduction of Exotic Aquatic Species into Indian Waters. Upon approval, the Department will issue an import permit within four weeks, facilitating the import of high-quality seaweed germplasm.

The guidelines thus provide a comprehensive regulatory framework for the import of live seaweeds into India, ensuring that the process is conducted safely, smoothly and responsibly. Department of Fisheries, Government of India encourage stakeholders, such as researchers, entrepreneurs, and farmers, to take advantage of these new opportunities and contribute to the growth of the seaweed industry.

The guidelines will facilitate import of high-quality

The app is designed to meet the growing needs of the ornamental fisheries sector, providing crucial knowledge resources for hobbyists, aquarium shop owners, and fish farmers.

Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Rajiv Ranjan Singh launched the “Rangeen Machhli” mobile app at ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (ICAR-CIFA), Bhubaneswar. Developed by ICAR-CIFA with support from the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), the app is designed to meet the growing needs of the ornamental fisheries sector, providing crucial knowledge resources for hobbyists, aquarium shop owners, and fish farmers.

The “Rangeen Machhli” app provides multilingual information on popular ornamental fish species in eight Indian languages, making it accessible to a wide audience. Whether hobbyists are seeking guidance on fish care or farmers looking to diversify their breeds, the app offers comprehensive details on care, breeding, and maintenance practices. One of its key features is the “Find Aquarium Shops” tool, which allows users to locate nearby aquarium shops through a dynamic directory updated by shop owners, promoting local businesses and connecting users with reliable sources for ornamental fish and aquarium-related products. In addition, the app includes educational modules for both newcomers and professionals in the ornamental fish industry. The “Basics of Aquarium Care” module covers essential topics such as types of aquariums, fishes, water filtration, lighting, feeding, day to day maintenance, while the “Ornamental Aquaculture” module focuses on breeding, rearing of different ornamental fish. The app can be downloaded from the Google Play store from this link https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ornamentalfish

During his address, Rajiv Ranjan Singh highlighted the increasing importance of the ornamental fisheries sector, stating that the Ministry is placing a strong emphasis on its development, recognizing the sector’s potential for generating employment and contributing to the economy. He also stated that aquarium hobby has to be promoted in a bigger way in the country.

The app is designed to meet the

The total fish production in the North- Eastern States increased from 4.03 lakh tonnes in 2014-15 to highest production of 6.04 lakh tonnes during FY 2022-23.

The Inland fish production in North- Eastern States recorded an average annual growth rate of 5.38 per cent during last nine years i.e. from 2014-15 to 2022-23. The total fish production in the North- Eastern States increased from 4.03 lakh tonnes in 2014-15 to highest production of 6.04 lakh tonnes during FY 2022-23.

Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying implemented Blue Revolution, Centrally Sponsored Scheme from 2015-16 to 2019-20 for development of fisheries and aquaculture in the country and the project worth Rs 391.95 crore were sanctioned for North- Eastern States. To consolidates the success and achievements of Blue Revolution, in the year 2020-21, the Government of India launched another flagship schemes namely Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) with an investment of Rs 20,050 crores for a period of 5 years with effect from Financial Year 2020-21 to 2024-25 for holistic development of fisheries and aquaculture.

 PMMSY aims to enhance the fish production through establishment of new freshwater finfish hatcheries, construction of rearing ponds, grow-out ponds with inputs, biofloc ponds, Re-circulatory Aquaculture System (RAS), ornamental fish rearing unit, providing boats and nets for traditional fishermen etc. Minimum 10 per cent of the annual allocation under the scheme has been earmarked for North Eastern Region.

Under PMMSY, total projects with outlay of Rs 1391.62 crore have been approved for NER States during 2020-21 to 2023-24 (till date).

Besides, to promote easy access to credit for aqua-culture farmers, fish farms and fishing activities the Government of India in 2018-19 extended the facility of Kisan Credit Card (KCC) to fisher and fish farmers to help them meet their working capital needs. So far, a total of 1, 70, 674 KCC with a loan amount of Rs. 1893.43 crore have been issued including 16,870 KCC in NER.

This information was given by Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying in a written reply in Lok Sabha

The total fish production in the North-

 The visit aims to promote exports of EU agricultural food and beverage products to India, facilitating its presence in the Indian market while enabling matchmaking between the businesses of both sides.

European Union (EU) Commissioner for Agriculture Janusz Wojciechowski will be visiting India on 7-9 December 2023, leading a business delegation of 50+ EU company representatives from the agri-food sector. During his visit, he would be inaugurating the EU Pavilion at the two prestigious exhibitions in New Delhi, SIAL and VINEXPO on 7th December, which will host a wide array of agri-food products from across Europe, offering an immersive experience into the quality, safety, authenticity, and sustainability standards of European food and beverages. The visit and the participation at the exhibition aim to promote exports of EU agricultural food and beverage products to India, facilitating its presence in the Indian market while enabling matchmaking between the businesses of both sides.

During his visit, Commissioner Wojciechowski will hold bilateral meetings with the Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Narendra Singh Tomar, as well as the Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Parshottam Rupala, and with Niti Aayog, the policy think tank of the Government of India. It will be an occasion to exchange on the agricultural policy of the EU and India and raise the market access challenges faced by EU operators on the Indian market.

The EU is the Region of Honour of SIAL and VINEXPO 2023 with the EU Pavilions forming part of the ‘More than food’ campaign, with which the EU is actively promoting outstanding European agricultural products to Indian businesses and consumers. Commissioner Wojciechowski will participate in the opening ceremony of the fairs. The 50+ businesses accompanying the EU Commissioner will not only showcase their products to the Indian buyers from the food distribution, retail, manufacture, and hospitality industries at SIAL and VINEXPO, but will also explore business and match-making opportunities with their Indian counterparts. The EU Pavilions will play a crucial role in creating excellent, centralised matchmaking opportunities for Indian buyers, retailers, and distributors. They are meant to lead to the establishment of new business partnerships that are mutually beneficial for both EU companies and their Indian counterparts. The direct interactions during the sessions will also contribute to a better understand-ing of the specific needs and preferences of the Indian market. This knowledge exchange can contribute to in- formed decision-making and enhance the potential for successful market entry.

“At the EU Pavilions, we offer an immersive journey into the world of European agricultural products, focusing on quality, safety, authen-ticity, and sustainability. We aim to inform and inspire Indian buyers, retailers, and distributors through cooking demonstrations, information sessions, and tastings over three exciting days. The EU Pavilions also offer excellent match-making opportunities for Indian buyers, with representatives from more than 50 European companies attending from various food and drink sectors,” Janusz Wojciechowski European Union Commissioner for Agriculture.

 The visit aims to promote exports of

According to the study, a resounding 91.1 per cent of the 135 fish stocks assessed in 2022 were deemed healthy, marking a significant milestone in India’s efforts to maintain the sustainability of its marine fisheries.

Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying unveiled a study report “Marine Fish Stock Status of India 2022” by the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute during the ‘Sagar Parikrama phase VIII at Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu.

Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying unveils ICAR-CMFRI’s study on Marine Fish Stock Status Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying unveils ICAR-CMFRI’s study on Marine Fish Stock Status.

The report titled ‘Marine Fish Stock Status of India 2022’ reveals that India’s marine fish stock is healthy and sustainable. According to the study, a resounding 91.1 per cent of the 135 fish stocks assessed in 2022 were deemed healthy, marking a significant milestone in India’s efforts to maintain the sustainability of its marine fisheries. The report also highlighted the substantial reduction in unsustainable practices, with just 4.4 per cent of the stocks facing overfishing.

 Rupala also released ICAR-CMFRI’s ‘Good Management Practices in Seaweed Farming’ publication. ICAR-CMFRI has identified 333 prospective seaweed farming sites covering 23,950 hectares, aimed at horizontal expansion of seaweed cultivation. India has a seaweed production potential of 9.88 million t wet weight per year while the current production stands at merely 52,107 t wet weight per year. Seaweed farming has the potential to provide revenue up to Rs. 13.28 lakhs per hectare in a year on a dry weight basis.

Rupala visited the Vizhinjam Regional Centre of ICAR-CMFRI, Kerala. The Minister emphasized offshore cage farming, focusing on larger cages capable of accommodating lakhs of juveniles. Shri Rupala emphasized the need for expansion to offshore waters.

 Rupala urged ICAR-CMFRI to lead research and development efforts for advanced cages and expand seed production technologies for finfishes in coastal states using PPP mode. He also highlighted the potential of Pearl Oyster production and urged ICAR-CMFRI to take a proactive role in scaling up production.

According to the study, a resounding 91.1

The delegation also discussed various issues and opportunities for cooperation in the aquaculture and fisheries sector

A high-level delegation led by Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, along with Dr L. Murugan, Minister of State, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Neetu Kumari Prasad, Joint Secretary, Department of Fisheries and other senior officers is on a visit to Norway for strengthening the bilateral cooperation between India and Norway in the field of fisheries and aquaculture. After attending the Opening Ceremony of the Aqua Nor 2023 trade show at Trondheim Spektrum, Klostergata, which is one of the world’s largest trade shows for aquaculture technology and innovation, the delegation visited AquaGen, a research-oriented breeding company that develops, manufactures, delivers genetic starter material and fertilised eggs to the global aquaculture industry. Parshottam Rupala, and Dr. L. Murugan, discussed opportunities for joint collaboration with Knut Roflo, CEO, AquaGen.  

Parshottam Rupala and Dr. L. Murugan interacted with the Indian participants at the exhibition, who displayed their products and services related to aquaculture and fisheries. Parshottam Rupala appreciated the efforts of the Indian exhibitors in promoting the quality and diversity of Indian aquaculture and fisheries products in the global market. The delegation also discussed various issues and opportunities for cooperation in the aquaculture and fisheries sector.

The delegation also discussed various issues and

Scheme to act as a key enabler and risk mitigation measure for lending institutions and enabling collateral free funding to livestock sector.

Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying is implementing the Credit Guarantee Scheme under Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF) to strengthen credit delivery system and facilitate smooth flow of credit to the Micro, Small & Medium Enterprise (MSMEs) engaged in Livestock sector without hassles of collateral security. For operationalizing the scheme, DAHD has established a Credit Guarantee fund Trust of Rs 750.00 crores, which will provide credit guarantee coverage up to 25 per cent of the credit facilities extended to the MSMEs by the eligible lending institutions.

The credit guarantee scheme facilitates access to finance for un-served and under-served livestock sector, making availability of financial assistance from lenders to mainly first-generation entrepreneurs and under privileged section of society, who lack collateral security for supporting their ventures.

The main objective of the Credit Guarantee Scheme is that the lender should give importance to project viability and secure the credit facility purely on the basis primary security of the assets financed.

The establishment of credit guarantee fund trust was approved under the Prime Minister’s AtmaNirbhar Bharat Abhiyan stimulus package of Rs.15000 crores“ Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund” (AHIDF) for incentivizing investments by individual entrepreneurs, private companies, MSMEs, Farmers Producers Organizations (FPOs) and Section 8 companies to establish (i) the dairy processing and value addition infrastructure, (ii) meat processing and value addition infrastructure, (iii) Animal Feed Plant, (iv) Breed Improvement technology and Breed Multiplication Farm (v) Animal Waste to Wealth Management (Agri Waste Management) and (vi) Setting up of Veterinary Vaccine and Drugs Manufacturing facilities.

One of the key features of the AHIDF scheme is the establishment of a Credit Guarantee Fund Trust of Rs. 750.00 Crores. DAHD has formed a trust with NABSanrakshan Trustee Company Private Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of NABARD for the establishment of a Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for extending the credit guarantee to Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises under AHIDF scheme. This fund trust established in March 2021 is the Nation’s first ever fund trust under Credit guarantee scheme of AHIDF in the agriculture and Animal Husbandry sector and is a path-breaking initiative taken by DAHD which would exponentially increase the number of MSME units getting benefits of AHIDF scheme and strengthen the ecosystem for the collateral-free credit from the banks.

The credit guarantee portal has been developed as a rule based B2B portal and implemented the enrolment of eligible lending institutions under Credit Guarantee Scheme, issuance/renewal of credit guarantee Cover and settlement of claims.

Notably, the initiative of credit guarantee scheme taken by DAHD is expected to greatly increase the participation of MSMEs engaged in livestock sector leading to increased flow of credit to the sector and strengthen the MSMEs to boost the overall rural economy through strengthening the Livestock sector which is of one of the most potential sectors seeking development.

Scheme to act as a key enabler

The well-equipped veterinary facilities will be just a call away by dialing 1962

Parshottam Rupala , Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying inaugurated 29 Mobile Veterinary Units and centralised call centre in Thiruvananthpuram  in a significant step for the benefit of the livestock farmers in Kerala.

These MVUs will be operated through a centralised call centre with a uniform Helpline No. 1962. It will receive calls from livestock rearers / animal owners and Veterinarian will prioritize all cases on the basis of emergency nature and will transmit them to the nearest MVU for attending at farmer’s doorstep.

MVUs will provide diagnosis treatment, vaccination, artificial insemination, minor surgical interventions, audio-visual aids and extension services to farmers / animal owners at their doorstep in far flung area. MVUs will act as one-stop Centre for solutions to veterinary issues and dissemination of information to the remotest areas of the country.

Kerala is deploying 50 MVUs in different districts. Now, the veterinary hospital will be just a call away by dialling 1962. These vehicles are equipped with state of art diagnostic tools, animal treatment and breeding accessories, audio visual aids and necessary medications.

The Minister highlighted that this intervention will boost the confidence of dairy breeders to rear high productive dairy animals as most of the breeders are reluctant to take their livestock to Veterinary Hospital for treatment and usually end calling quacks for doorstep delivery of services. Each MVU shall be manned by a qualified Veterinarian and a Paravet for providing specialized services to livestock farmers, he added.

Elaborating on the scheme the Minister underlined that the scheme is promising and will transform the dairy sector from a subsistence-based farm livelihood to a commercially viable enterprise by giving gainful employment to the youth of the Kerala.

In the current financial year, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), MoFAHD, Govt of India has sanctioned 4332 MVUs across the country.

The well-equipped veterinary facilities will be just

More than two lakhs artificially bred wild fish seed germplasm of river Ganga (Rohu, Catla and Mrigal) was released into the river.

Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying launched National Ranching Program at Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. As a part of “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav” ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, Barrackpore organized National ranching program and mass awareness campaign at Assi ghat, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh under the ‘Namami Gange’ programme for holistic fisheries development of river Ganga.

More than two lakhs artificially bred wild fish seed germplasm of river Ganga (Rohu, Catla and Mrigal) was released by the Minister and other dignitaries into the river. The event was also marked by mass awareness campaign on Ganga conservation at Assi Ghat, Varanasi.

Rupala in his address expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for giving him the privilege of ranching fish fingerlings into the water of Mother Ganga at Kashi. He emphasized that about 190 fish species have been recorded from the river in the last four years which is providing livelihood and economic stability to the fishermen living on the banks of river Ganga.

Dr. Joykrushna Jena, Deputy Director General (Fisheries science), ICAR highlighted the importance and significance of Gangetic fisheries in the upliftment of socio-economic condition of fishers and ecosystem sustainability.

Dr. Basanta Kumar Das, Director, ICAR-CIFRI briefed about ICAR-CIFRI activities under Namami Gange project. He emphasized that as a part of the National Ranching Programme more than 58 lakhs of wild Gangetic carps were released in several areas of river Ganga covering four states namely UP, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal. He sensitized local fisher folks and highlighted the importance of Gangetic health required to sustain fishes and Dolphins.

Dr. Sandeep Kumar Behera from Namami Ganga Program highlighted the need to enhance the State-Central coordination for the conservation of indigenous fish species in the river. He sought honourable Minister’s intervention to issue strict guidelines to the states to stop fishing during the breeding period.

The prime objectives of NMCG sponsored project includes exploratory survey of the fish diversity, stock assessment of the prized Rohu, Catla, Mrigal, Calbasu and Mahaseer along with seed production of selected fish species and ranching in the depleted river stretch. Fishes like Calbasu, Mrigal & Rohu will not only increase the fish catch but also will add in maintaining the cleanliness of the river as they feed on organic remnants in the river.

More than two lakhs artificially bred wild

NDDB MRIDA Limited, will open avenues of additional income to dairy farmers from sale of slurry/ dung.

 Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying has launched NDDB MRIDA Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary company of National Dairy Development Board to take forward manure management initiatives across the country in presence of Dr Sanjeev Kumar Balyan, MoS, FAHD and Dr L Murugan, MoS, FAHD. Atul Chaturvedi, Secretary, DAHD, Govt. of India, Meenesh Shah, Chairman, NDDB, Ms Varsha Joshi, Additional Secretary (CDD), DAHD, and Sandeep Bharti, newly appointed Managing Director of NDDB MRIDA Limited.

NDDB has established NDDB MRIDA Limited, an Unlisted Public Limited Company under the Companies Act, 2013 on July 1, 2022 as with the paid-up capital of Rs. 9.50 crore.On the occasion, Rupala said NDDB Mrida Ltd will open avenues of additional income to dairy farmers from sale of slurry/ dung. He added that it will help in savings to the farmers by virtue of replacement of cooking fuel with biogas. He further said that efforts are being made for better utilisation of bovine dung but most are individual initiatives and this new company will provide structured impetus to manure management efforts.

 Meenesh Shah, Chairman, NDDB and NDDB Mrida Ltd said “NDDB Mrida Ltd will take up setting up of manure value chain, biogas based CNG generation, biogas-based energy generation for dairy plants. He added thst the new company will explore opportunities to efficiently use cattle dung as ingredient for various applications in different industries and as a replacement to traditional wood, clay, paint, etc.”

Shah also added that the company will undertake research and development on cost effective technologies for efficient dung management and a major area of focus will be establishing revenue generation models at the village-level through sale of cattle dung-based products. He added that the company will provide marketing and sale support to agencies manufacturing gobar-gas slurry-based fertilisers and establish mechanisms to accrue carbon revenue from the projects to generate additional revenue stream for dairy farmers.

On this occasion, Dr Balyan launched a brochure on NDDB MRIDA Limited and Dr Murugan handed over NDDB’s SUDHAN trademark to Chairman and MD, NDDB MRIDA Limited.

NDDB MRIDA Limited, will open avenues of

Rupala also felicitated 75 entrepreneurs under AHIDF (Different categories/ FPO/Farmer/ Women)

Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying launched Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF) projects and felicitated entrepreneurs in the AHIDF conclave held in New Delhi. Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Balyan, MoS, FAHD graced the event with his presence.

 Rupala in his address highlighted the importance of the dairy and fisheries sector and congratulated the entrepreneurs for their contribution in the development of the sector and for generating employment for farmers and people in rural areas. He further said that there is a need to focus on livestock health including sustainable food systems for the livestock. Dr Balyan congratulated the entrepreneurs and urged them to find innovative ways to reduce livestock feed cost.

 Atul Chaturvedi, Secretary, DAHD highlighted the need to focus beyond poverty alleviation and increasing farmers income towards wealth creation in rural areas. He further said that AHIDF scheme is a major step in this direction. Dr O. P. Chaudhary, JS, DAHD thanked NABARD and SIDBI for their continuous support to the sector. Sivasubramanian Ramann , CMD SIDBI and Dr G.R. Chintala, Chairman , NABARD, Dr Praveen Malik , Animal Husbandry Commissioner were present in the event.

The conclave saw the launch of Credit Guarantee Online Portal, inauguration of five major plants setup with the support of AHIDF scheme, felicitation of Entrepreneurs/ lenders & Networking between all stakeholders and upcoming entrepreneurs. The one-day Conclave had various sessions followed by discussion by a group of highly esteemed panel members.

Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying organised the conclave in collaboration with Small Industries Development Bank of India and Industry Associations etc. The conclave aimed at ensuring the participants with best possible knowledge inputs related to the AHIDF Scheme and facilitation of various stakeholders. The conclave saw the participation of over 600 Entrepreneurs/ Stakeholders, Lenders/SLBC’s, Government Officials (State and Centre Government), Common Service Centers, Industry Associations/ farmers associations and Government organisations.

Rupala also felicitated 75 entrepreneurs under AHIDF

The workshop was attended by eight EAS member countries, four knowledge partners, officials of the Department of Fisheries

Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India and the Government of Singapore organised a virtual East Asia Summit (EAS) Workshop on Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing yesterday co-chaired by India and Singapore Food Agency (SFA). Jatindra Nath Swain, Secretary, Department of Fisheries (DoF), Government of India gave the keynote address. The workshop was attended by eight EAS member countries, four knowledge partners, officials of the Department of Fisheries, the Government of India, Fisheries officials of different States/UTs and other invitees.

In his inaugural address, Swain highlighted the urgent call for combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. Swain shared some of India’s efforts and initiatives to combat IUU fishing especially through working with coastal fishing communities.

The workshop began with the opening session led by India and chaired by Joint Secretary, Department of Fisheries, Government of India, Dr J Balaji. During the welcome address, Dr J Balaji introduced the theme of the workshop and welcomed all the esteemed delegates, panellists and participants in the Workshop from the countries of Australia, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea along with India and Singapore. In his opening remarks to the EAS IUU Workshop, the CEO of the Singapore Food Agency highlighted the importance of combating IUU fishing which has negatively impacted the livelihood and food security of the coastal fishing communities.

Technical Session 1 focussed on regional collaborations in combating IUU fishing and was Chaired by Singapore Food Agency. The knowledge partners, namely, the Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organization (BOBPIGO), the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) shared the regional efforts and the groundbreaking and continuous efforts being taken to combat IUU fishing. During Technical Session 2, representatives from each participating country shared their national success stories, experience gained and measures being taken up by the respective country to curb IUU fishing.

After sessions and discussions, the webinar concluded with closing remarks by Geetika Srivastava, Joint Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs, GoI.

The workshop was attended by eight EAS

According to the experts, intensification and diversification has added to the risk factors of the spread of new and emerging aquatic diseases in aquaculture

Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India organised a webinar on National Surveillance Programme for Aquatic Animal Diseases: A Step towards Establishing Disease Governance System in India. The event was attended by more than 150 participants including officials of the Department of Fisheries, ICAR institutes, GoI and fisheries officials of different States/UTs, faculties from state agriculture, veterinary and fisheries universities, entrepreneurs, scientists, farmers, hatchery owners, students and stakeholders from aquaculture industry across the country.

The welcome address was given by IA Siddiqui, Fisheries Development Commissioner, DoF along with the introduction of the theme of the webinar and the distinguished panellists Sagar Mehra, Joint Secretary (Inland Fisheries); Dr Joykrushna Jena, Deputy Director General (Fisheries Science), ICAR, New Delhi; Dr Iddya Karunasagar, Advisor (Research and Patents), Nitte University, Mangaluru; Dr AG Ponniah, Former Emeritus Scientist and Former Discipline Leader, WorldFish Centre, Malaysia, Dr KK Lal, Director, ICAR- National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, Lucknow; Dr Neeraj Sood, Principal Scientist ICAR- National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, Lucknow; V Balasubramaniam, General Secretary, Prawn Farmers’ Federation of India, Bengaluru and other participants.

Shri Sagar Mehra, Joint Secretary (Inland Fisheries), in his opening remarks mentioned that aquaculture production through intensification and diversification has added to the risk factors of spread of new and emerging aquatic diseases in aquaculture.

During the technical session, Dr Joykrushna Jena, Deputy Director General (Fisheries Science), ICAR, New Delhi, set the context for the webinar and stated that India is a vast country with state divergent levels of capabilities and fisheries priorities hence surveillance programme for monitoring and controlling spread of diseases of national and international concern has become a primary requirement for effective health management and ultimately for sustainable aquaculture.

Dr Jena further stated that the National Surveillance Programme for Aquatic Animal Diseases (NSPAAD) of India has made its own example in establishing a coordinated surveillance programme for aquaculture.

Dr Neeraj Sood, Principal Scientist ICAR- National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, Lucknow delivered a detailed presentation on NSPAAD along with the status of the project in the country and the future aims of the project.

Dr Iddya Karunasagar, Advisor, Nitte University, Mangaluru focussed on strategising aquatic animal health management based on disease surveillance through a knowledge filled session. Dr AG Ponniah, Former Emeritus Scientist and Former Discipline Leader, World Fish Centre, Malaysia delivered an informative session on emergency response in case of detection of exotic aquatic diseases and V Balasubramaniam, General Secretary, Prawn Farmers’ Federation of India briefed about the industrial approach and the need of fisheries and aquaculture sector for disease surveillance in shrimp aquaculture.

The webinar concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Dr SK Dwivedi, Assistant Commissioner, DoF.

According to the experts, intensification and diversification