ICAR-CIFA conducted Awareness-cum-Input Support Programme on Scientific

ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (ICAR-CIFA), Bhubaneswar, organized a one- day Awareness-cum-Input Support Programme on Scientific Fish Farming at Nakhara village,
Tangi-Choudwar Block, Cuttack district, Odisha, under the Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan (SCSP) scheme on 11 September 2026. Nearly 265 beneficiaries, including 155 women and 110 men farmers, participated enthusiastically in the programme. The programme was also witnesed the presence of Mr. Chitta Ranjan Samal, Zilla Parishad Member; Mrs. Supriya Jethy, Vice-Chairman, Tangi Choudwar Block; Mr. Janmejay Khilar, Representative of the Block Chairman; and Mr. Abhilash Sahu, former Samiti Member, these public representatives participated in the programme lauded the efforts of CIFA in briging the livilihood security as well nutrional security and encouraged the farmers. The programme was also attended by Mr. Karuniya Giridhary, Assistant Fisheries Officer, Headquarters, Katak, who informed the farmers about various government schemes and programmes available for the development of fisheries and aquaculture. The ICAR-CIFA scientific team, comprising Dr. Chandrakanta Misra, Principal Scientist; Dr. Binod Choudhary, Principal Scientist and Coordinator, SCSP Scheme; Mr. A. S. Mahapatra, Scientist & Dr Rakesh Das, Scientist; sensitized farmers on scientific fish production, efficient resource utilization, aquaculture diversification, quality seed production, ornamental fish farming, and aquarium-based enterprises. A Farmer–Scientist Interaction Meeting was also held, during which farmers raised various issues related to fish farming and received practical technical solutions from the team of scientists of ICAR-CIFA. As part of the input support, 12,000 Jayanti Rohu fingerlings (Improved variety of fish seed) were distributed to Maa Jagulai SHG and Maa Laxmi Narayan SHG,
including 22 women farmers, and stocked in Garudeswar Pond. Farmers also highlighted difficulties in fish harvesting and requested motor pumps for efficient water management and harvesting
operations..The programme was successfully conducted under the guidance and supervision of Dr. P. K. Sahoo, Director, ICAR-CIFA. The overall programme was smoothly coordinated SCSP team.