College of Fisheries (COF), Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana organised an Orientation Workshop for progressive members of Innovative Fish Farmers Association (IFFA) of Punjab, in collaboration with Fish Farmers
Development Agency (FFDA), Ludhiana. Farmers were apprised about different fisheries sector promotional schemes under Pradhan Mantri - Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY) of Department of Fisheries (DOF), Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, GoI.
As part of National Consortium of Fisheries Universities and Colleges, COF is extending Verification, Monitoring and Knowledge Support Services to fish and shrimp farmers of the State to avail various fisheries sector services and incentives offered under this scheme. The participants were urged to get registered on the National Fisheries Digital Platform (NFDP) for Credit Facilitation, Strengthening of Fisheries Cooperatives, Aquaculture Insurance Incentives, Performance Grants and Capacity Building under the scheme. COF facilitated registration of IFFA members not yet registered on NFDP, which has been launched to formalise the Indian fisheries sector and is mandatory for all types of fisheries stakeholders to avail benefits under various components of PM-MKSSY.
IFFA members also attended a technical session on Fish Feeding Management, majorly focussin
g on scientific recommendations and innovations in fish feed formulation, manufacturing and feeding regimes to achieve improved feed conversion efficiency; tap optimal production levels; and increase farmers income with significant saving on production cost. Feeding tips for ensuring maximum feed utilization and preventing feed wastage were also discussed, which are vital for maintaining optimal water quality; boosting fish health; and enhancing fish growth and quality thereof.
The meeting concluded with an interactive question-answer session, where experts addressed farmers' field-level queries and encouraged adoption of scientific aquaculture practices for long term sustainability.
