ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CIFRI) Regional Centre, Guwahati in collaboration with Ri-Bhoi Farmers’ Union, Meghalaya organized an “Awareness-cum-feed distribution programme” at Umiarong village, Ri-Bhoi district, Meghalaya on 02.12.2022 in order to popularize the CIFRI-CAGEGROW feed among the tribal fish farmers in mid-altitude region of Meghalaya. The programme was organized under the overall guidance of Dr. B. K. Das, Director, ICAR-CIFRI, Barrackpore and Dr. B. K. Bhattacharjya, Head, ICAR-CIFRI RC,Guwahati.
It was organized by Dr. Pronob Das, Senior Scientist and Dr. S. Borah, Scientist (Organizing Secretaries); Dr. S. Yengkokpam and Dr. D.K. Meena, Senior Scientists (Co-organizing Secretaries). The programme was attended by the 80 tribal fish farmers of the locality under Ri-Bhoi Farmers’ Union led by Mr. D. Majaw, President and Mr. K. Brightstar, Secretary. Representatives from local media were also present in the interactive programme.
Mr. D. Majaw welcomed the participants and dignitaries for the day-long programme. He thanked ICAR-CIFRI for their effort for development of fisheries in the state including cage culture in Umiam reservoir. Dr. Pronob Das gave the opening remarks and explained the purpose of the programme. He informed that ICAR-CIFRI has commercialized CIFRI-GI cage, CIFRI-HDPE pen and CIFRI-CAGEGROW floating feed for open waters. He said CIFRI-CAGEGROW floating feed can be effectively used for enclosure culture in open waters as well as in pond aquaculture.
He explained about different activities carried out by the Institute for development of open water fisheries of Northeast region especially Meghalaya. Dr. S. Yengkokpam explained about the role fish feed in fish culture and different feeding methods along with the scientific merits of the CIFRI-CAGEGROW feed use. Dr. S. Borah informed the participants about the economics of CIFRI-CAGEGROW feed and other technologies developed for open water fisheries of the region. He also explained the different aspects of scientific fish farming.
During the interaction, participants interacted with the Scientists on different aspects of fisheries and aquaculture. The Scientists urged the participants to adopt scientific fish farming methods for higher production, enhancement of income and livelihood. They also urged the beneficiaries to share the feedback on performance of CIFRI-CAGEGROW feed.
On the occasion, a total of 3500 kg CIFRI-CAGEGROW floating feed was distributed to 50 tribal fisher families representing 16 villages of the district. Mr. K. Brightstar thanked ICAR-CIFRI for their continuous support to the fishers of Ri-Bhoi Farmers’ Union and promised to monitor proper use of distributed feed.