Workshop on Development of brood bank for Amur Common Carp
A three days’ workshop on development of brood bank for Amur carp was organized on 2nd to 4th December, 2015 by Fisheries Research and Information center, Karnataka Veterinary Animal and Fisheries Sciences University, Hesaraghatta, Bengaluru in collaboration with Department of Fisheries, Govt of Meghalaya and ICAR Research complex for NEH Region at Umiam. The purpose of workshop was to sensitize the departments of fisheries of North east and select few northern states on establishment of brood bank in Meghalaya and action plan for popularizing this important species for different farming systems in Northeastern states in general and Meghalaya in particular. The workshop was funded by National fisheries Development Board, Hyderabad.
The Programme was inaugurated by Shri.K.N.Kumar, IAS, Chief Executive, NFDB, Hyderabad in the presence of Mrs. I.R.Sangma, MCS, Director of Fisheries, Govt of Meghalaya, Dr.S.V.Nagchan, Director, ICAR Research complex, Umiam and Dr.S.K.Das, Principal Scientist and Head of the division, Fisheries Science of ICAR Research complex. Dr.Y.Basavaraju, Associate Director of Research and In-charge of the project welcomed the dignitaries and the participants and highlighted objectives of the workshop. He stressed that the new breed of common carp (Amur) with its fast growth and wide tolerance to environmental conditions will increase the fish production in Meghalaya and other North- eastern states. Dr.Kumar in his inaugural address stated that the state of Meghalaya is importing 25,000 metric tons of fish from Andhra Pradesh and there is a need for enhancing fish production to meet the ever increasing demand for fish. The new breed of common carp has shown the superiority and found to be suitable for different farming systems. Hence there is a need to further expand the culture of this species to other parts of North –East. He said one of the first steps should be to establish a brood bank in Meghalaya which could serve as a source of quality seed to other parts. He also called for arranging sensitizations programmes to spread it to farmer’s ponds in all the states. Mrs Sangma in her address thanked the fisheries research center in Bangalore for choosing Meghalaya as avenue for workshop and assured all possible support for introduction and propagation of this new breed. Dr.Nagchan, Director, ICAR Research complex stressed for identification of more species indigenous to North –East and develop culture protocols for them in addition to Amur carp. He said that Amur carp is best suited for regions where it is grown in rice cum fish culture method.
Twenty two participants from 10 different states and research institutes participated in the workshops. There were few expert talks on different aspects of brood stock management and suitability of amur carp for different farming systems in NE states. The participants were also taken on exposure visit to fish farms in and around Shillong. After the three days deliberations the workshop recommended that there is a need for establishment of brood bank and conducting more demonstrations in different states and different farming systems with the network of KVKs under ICAR with involvement of department of fisheries of respective states. Dr. S.K.Das, Principal scientist proposed vote of thanks.
Sri. K.N.Kumar, Chief Executive inaugurating the workshop
Participants along with the scientist