: Mumbai, March 20, 2023

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research-Central Institute of Fisheries Education (ICAR-CIFE) celebrated its convocation to confer degrees today (March 20, 2023).  Director and Vice Chancellor of ICAR-CIFE, Dr. Ravi Shankar CN conferred degrees on 50 Ph.D. and 90 master's students.

The Director General, ICAR and Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) Dr. Himanshu Pathak, who was the chief guest of the convocation, stated that fisheries provide employment to millions. Speaking on the occasion, he said that, in the future, this sector will play a very important role in meeting the nutritional requirements of the world’s growing population. Therefore, considering the importance of this sector, the Government of India has formed a separate Ministry of Fisheries, he stated. The Ministry has launched the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) in 2019-20, which aims to increase fish production through the adoption of innovations and modern technology, improve the safety and quality of fish, develop post-harvest infrastructure, and modernize the fish value chain, further stated Dr. Pathak.

Dr. Pathak also appreciated the significant contribution ICAR-CIFE made in developing energy-efficient and environmentally friendly technologies for inland saline aquaculture. The other initiatives of the institute, which he acknowledged, were related to the genetic improvement of fish, species diversification, vaccines for aquatic animal pathogens, seafood safety and quality testing, larval feed, use of non-conventional feed ingredients, and nutraceuticals; monitoring and remediation of coastal pollution; waste utilization; development of value-added fish products; a mobile app; and a documentary film. He also appreciated that the ICAR-CIFE alumni have achieved great heights both in India and abroad as scientists, entrepreneurs, and policymakers.

Secretary, ICAR, stressed that the world needs more food by 2050. Therefore, fisheries research and education will be critical. He also underlined the need for innovative research and extension programs to increase the production and consumption of aquatic food by expanding fish farming, increasing productivity, improving marketing, and reducing post-harvest losses. He urged the institute to promote aspiring entrepreneurs in the fishing sector. Therefore, he emphasized that the university may embark on a focused entrepreneurship program with the assistance of developmental agencies and financial institutions that would not only sponsor the program but also sustain the trained entrepreneurs through financial support and handholding.

During this convocation period (20-22 March 2023), a fish festival and student convention were also held. Students of ICAR-CIFE also demonstrated for the guests the delicious fish products of different parts of the country. In addition to that, fisheries students from different fisheries colleges showcased their cultures in the cultural program. Finally, the deans of all colleges of fisheries from different parts of the country also met to discuss and improve their fisheries syllabi.

ICAR-CIFE is a Center of Excellence in Fisheries Higher Education in the country. It also has the reputation of being the only university in the world that produces master's and doctoral students in eleven highly specialized disciplines of fisheries. It has also developed many technologies to promote the fisheries sector in the country.

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Source: ICAR-CIFE/SC/PM

 

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