College of Fisheries (COF), Guru Angad Dev Veterinary & Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana GADVASU, in collaboration with IDP-Cell under ICAR-National Agricultural Higher Education Project (NAHEP) organised student-industry Interface on “Ornamental Fisheries-Present Status, Challenges and Future Prospects in Punjab” to promote entrepreneurship skills among fishery graduates. Dr. Meera D. Ansal, Dean, COF revealed that the platform brought together various stakeholders, including ornamental fish traders, state fisheries officers of Punjab and students. She added that to instill entrepreneurial zeal among the graduating students, successful fisheries professional turned entrepreneur and ornamental fish traders were invited to interact with the students, so as to make them aware about ample opportunities to take up ornamental fisheries as a remunerative enterprise.
Dr. Atul K. Jain, an eminent Fisheries Scientist turned entrepreneur and Director of Ornamental Fisheries Training and Research Institute (OFTRI), Udaipur (Rajasthan) was the guest speaker of the event. He sensitized the students and traders about the hidden business opportunities in ornamental fisheries and emphasized that, there is need to revolutionize the ornamental fish industry in inland states by decreasing reliance on the coastal states for ornamental fish and aquarium accessories. Dr. Vaneet Inder Kaur, Organizing Secretary of the event, updated about major achievements of COF in ornamental fisheries, major issues and challenges along with role of women and youth for the progress of the sector. Mr. Karamjit Singh, CEO, Fish Farmer Development Agency (FFDA), Fatehgarh Sahib shared various financial schemes and subsidies, especially under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampda Yojna for the interested beneficiaries. Dr. Sachin O. Khairnar, discussed various entrepreneurial options in the sector especially in inland states like Punjab. He coordinated the interface with his team of Dr. Amit Mandal and Mrs. Amandeep Kaur.
Dr. Inderjeet Singh, Vice-Chancellor and Dr. S.P.S Ghuman, PI-IDP Cell and Dean, COVS, GADVASU also impressed that there is utter need for these kinds of interaction sessions in PPP mode for exposure of potential budding entrepreneurs to novel ideas and technologies, for enhancing their entrepreneurial outlook. During the interface, traders showed enthusiastic participation in the entire deliberations and highly acknowledged the efforts made by COF.
