College of Fisheries (COF), Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, successfully organized a three-
day Capacity Building Programme on Climate-Smart Intensive Aquaculture Technologies at its State-of-the-Art Capacit
y Building Resource Centre (CBRC). This centre was established under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) of the Department of Fisheries (DOF), Government of India, to promote ecofriendly water efficient sustainable aquaculture technologies in the region.
Dr Meera D Ansal, Dean CoF informed that high density intensive aquaculture systems, like Recirculatory Aquaculture System (RAS) and Biofloc Aquaculture System (BAS), require only 10–15% of water/land 
resources per kg fish production as compared to conventional pond farming practices and provide a more bio-secure environment for producing quality fish to safeguard modern world food safety concerns.
22 participants, including aspiring youth, fish farmers and Fisheries Officers from DOF Punjab, received practical training on the designing, operation and management of RAS and BAS in respect to water quality monitoring, feeding regime, biofloc production, biosecurity arrangements and health management; along with waste management and its economic recycling.
Trainees were also apprised o
f suitable fish species for RAS and BAS, as per regional availability and market demand to ensure economic viability of these systems. Participation of educated urban and rural youth (90%) in this program was the major highlight, showcasing their increasing inclination towards entrepreneurship in the fisheries sector for self-reliance. All the participants were also guided about the various fisheries sector promotional schemes for availing start-up financial assistance in the form of subsidies and loan and were persuaded to register on National Fisheries Digital Platform (NFDP) under “Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY) for availing assorted financial incentives.
