The monthly get-together of the Innovative Fish Farmers Association (IFFA) at Ludhiana, Punjab, that took place was a success, as an interesting discussion about the various techniques of aquaculture took place. Hosted at Shri. Navdeep Singh’s fish farm, situated in village Hayatpur, became the venue of an event organized by COF, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University.
The event was supported by technical advice from the college. The AIFDA event was headed by Dr. Vaneet Inder Kaur, the IFFA coordinator, and the attendance was 57 fish farmers. This information facilitated the transfer of knowledge on the most suitable farming methods, along with the introduction of climate-smart aquaculture technologies if needed to address problems of climate change and food safety (among other emerging trends).
The head of the enterprise, Dr. Grishma Tewari, and the founder, Dr. Amit Mandal, gave didactic lectures on practical aspects of fish nursery establishments, such as pond management, novel feeding rations, or tech involvement, targeting improved efficiency and profitability. The leadership of IFFA, represented by President S. Ranjodh Singh and Vice President S. Jasvir Singh, tackled one such issue, which was discussed in detail by the experts of the university. Dr. Meera D. Ansal, Dean of COF, pinpointed IFFA as one of the major linkages of the institution and stressed its importance in farmer networking and the provision of the required consulting and capacity-building services. Some IFFA members have been aptly coached into economically viable fishermen and farmers that converse with the newer university approaches to fisheries activities the country can be proud of. Dr. Parkash Singh Brar, the Extension Education Director at the university, also lauded IFFA’s approaches towards the development of the fisheries industry, which involve cooperation between the two partners.
He stated the association should definitely widen its scope to include all the districts by acquiring a wide membership base of fish farmers to promote fish farming. Inderjeet Singh, vice chancellor, highlighted the university’s inclined ness to uplift the village livestock, contributing to good networking with various agrarian community associations. Besides the continuous technical assistance and capacity-building courses, the university honors the most outstanding farmers with the Chief Minister’s Award annually to encourage their intelligent use of farm inputs.
The collaborative efforts of IFFA and the university demonstrate a commitment to advancing aquaculture and fostering sustainable agricultural practices for the benefit of farmers and the broader community.
