Krishi Vigyan Kendra, S.A.S. Nagar under the aegis of Guru Angad 
Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana observed the 19th National Fish Farmers’ Day at its premise on 10th July, 2019. A total of 28 farmers/youths including progressive farmers of district Mohali participated in the event. While welcoming the participants, Dr. Yashwant Singh, Deputy Director, KVK reflected upon contribution of aquaculture sector in the GDP of the country and in livelihood security. He told that as per National Fisheries Development Board, Hyderabad; total fish production during 2018-19 was approx. 12.6 million metric tonnes, of which nearly 65% was from the inland sector and approx. 50% of this was from culture fisheries. The fisheries sector contributes 0.91% and 5.23% to agriculture and total GDP, respectively. He also informed farmers regarding various scientific interventions done by KVK in the area of fish farming to encourage diversification and enhance fish production.
Dr. Vikas Phulia, Assistant Professor (Fisheries) told that this day is commemorated in remembrance of scientists Dr. K.H. Alikunhi and Dr. H.L. Chaudhury who had invented induced breeding technology on this day way back in 1957. Before this technology, fish farmers used to be dependent upon wild collection of fish seed. It was on 10th July 1957, that the first success in induced breeding was achieved at Angul in Odisha by Dr. Chaudhury with the support from Dr. Alikunhi. The spawn that was produced out of this experiment was successfully raised into fry and later into fingerling. "This pioneering work over years has led to aqua-explosion in the country principally through quality major carp seed production and supplies to fish farmers for culture from hundreds of hatcheries that sprang in the country based on induced breeding technology", he further added. In order to commensurate this day, on which such a momentous breakthrough that dramatically transformed the fish cultural sector in the country, the Government of India in 2001 declared 10th July as “National Fish Farmers’ Day”. Since then, all fisheries research, education and extension institutes have been observing this historic day with great enthusiasm. The progressive farmers S. Sanjit Singh Sidhu and S. Amarpreet Singh shared their success stories and encouraged participants to adopt integrated fish farming for employment generation and to enhance farm income.
