A group of 122 e.jpeg)
nthusiasts from 5 districts
of Punjab, including 70 rural women, flocked to College of Fisheries (COF), Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University for 3 days of capacity building program in Biofloc based Aquaculture (BFAQ). The BFAQ training program was tailored to apprise the beginners with basics of Biofloc Aquaculture Technology and equip them with the required technical expertise for establishing indoor and outdoor biofloc aquaculture systems successfully. Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) of Department of Fisheries (DOF), Government of India is promoting BFAQ through State DOFs. It is a water efficient technology requiring only 10-15% of water per kg fish production as compared to traditional aquaculture practices. The Capacity Building Resource Center (CBRC) for Intensive Aquaculture Technologies, established at COF under PMSSY, is emerging as an asset to cater the training needs of the regional stakeholders. It is playing a vital ro
le in sustainable expansion of intensive aquaculture technologies like BFAQ and Recirculatory Aquaculture System (RAS) in Punjab and its neighboring north western states, informed Dr Meera D Ansal, Dean, COF. Dr. Vaneet Inder Kaur, Principal Scientist coordinated the training program, 
which included two days off-campus technical sessions at Demonstration Farm cum Training Center of DOF, Punjab in village Ena Khera of District Sri Muktsar Sahib and one day on-campus practical sessions at CBRC at Ludhiana. The trainees learnt to set up BFAQ units; select suitable species for BFAQ; produce and manage biofloc; configure biosecurity; operate machinery; test water quality; design feeding regimes; manage aquatic animal health and recycle waste. The program was technically coordinated by fisheries scientists Dr. Amit Mandal & Dr. S. N. Datta. The participants were also apprised of various promotional schemes offering subsidies and loans under PMMSY and Pradhan Mantri – Matsya Kisan Samridhi She -Yojana (PM-MKSSY) schemes. Further, they were urged to register at National Fisheries Digital Platform (NFDP) for securing financial benefits under these schemes and stay connected to Vet Varsity experts for technical updates. Dr. J. P. S. Gill, Vice Chancellor lauded the conviction of stakeholders in the vet varsity. He assured to extend the outreach of BFAQ and RAS in the region, requiring 75-80% less water per kg of fish production and hence, offering food security with added environmental gain.
