Kochi: The Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) envisions increased productivity with a target of 2.5 million tonnes of fish production from mariculture by 2047 against the current estimate of a meagre 1.5 lakh tonnes.
Aiming to popularise cage farming and seaweed cultivation technologies, Institute Director Dr Grinson George has said effective adoption of innovative technologies will help to achieve this target.
The Institute would also focus on boosting start-up enterprises in the sector by offering guidance and technical support, he said.
Scientists from the Institute will visit villages to demonstrate and explain advanced practices such as cage fish farming, marine ornamental fish farming, mussel farming, oyster farming, seaweed cultivation, innovative fish breeding technologies, and scientific coastal aquaculture, he added.
The community will be given awareness of a range of technologies and the prospects of seaweed farming and integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA), he explained.
He said the ongoing ‘Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan’ campaign is a significant effort to ensure that scientific advancements translate into tangible benefits for the grassroots. The campaign is being undertaken by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in association with state governments.
Around 2000 teams comprising scientists and experts from 113 ICAR institutes and 731 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), along with field officers from state-level departments of agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, and fisheries, as well as innovative farmers, will be part of this campaign, which is aimed at reaching around 1.5 crore farmers in the country.
In Kerala, CMFRI’s outreach teams, comprising 36 scientists, will visit all districts, collaborating closely with the respective KVKs. Similarly, all the Centres of the Institute located in various coastal states will take part in the campaign in respective regions.
“A landmark initiative in connecting scientists and farmers, this direct engagement will greatly help fishery scientists tailor their research work and development efforts to fulfil the community’s demands more effectively,” George said.
Beyond technology awareness, the CMFRI teams will also collect crucial feedback, remarks, and responses from the farming and fishing communities to understand the specific issues and challenges faced by farmers. The scientists will listen to the issues of the stakeholders and foster a strong connection with them.
