345/2023-2024

Aizawl the 30th January, 2024: Indian Council of Agricultural Research – Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (ICAR-CIFT), Visakhapatnam Research Centre has organized two Training-cum-Demonstration programmes titled “Responsible Inland Fishing through Sustainable Fish Harvesting Practices” and another titled “Value Addition and Hygienic Handling of Fish for Increasing Domestic Fish Consumption and Promoting Small Scale Entrepreneurship in Mizoram” for the benefit of fishermen, fish farmers, entrepreneurs and unemployed youth of Mizoram at Directorate of Fisheries, Aizawl from 30-01-2024 to 01-02-2024. The training programme was organized by ICAR-CIFT in collaboration with Department of Fisheries Govt of Mizoram.

The Inaugural session of the training programme was conducted on 30.01.2024 at the Directorate of Fisheries department with Pu Lalthansanga, Hon'ble Minister, Department of Fisheries, Govt. of Mizoram as the Chief Guest of the training inaugural function.

In his address Pu Lalthansanga, Hon’ble Minister entrust the trainees to acquire new skills and gain new knowledge during the training programmes and requested the attendees to venture new field and should focus on value addition and marketing for successful entrepreneurship in fisheries. He thanked ICAR-CIFT for choosing Mizoram for conducting these important training programmes.

Pu Lalthansanga also released two training manuals that will be given to participants of the training programme.

Pu C Lalzahngoa, MPS, Secretary to the Govt of Mizoram, Department of Fisheries was the Guest of honour in the inaugural function of the training programme and mentioned his heartfelt gratitude to the Scientist and his team for selecting the State of Mizoram for the training programme for imparting their knowledge for the bettermen in fisheries sector and urged the participants to utilized this important training so as to improve the fisheries sector in the State. He also remarked that a fair outcome would be generated from this training programme especially in the fish production.

Dr. R. Raghu Prakash, Principal Scientist has briefed the role and scientific contribution of ICAR-CIFT in the field of fish harvesting, processing, packaging, product development, quality assurance, fishery by-products and fishery waste utilisation. He also brief about the 3 days skilled training programme to the dignitaries and trainees.

The skill development training on value added fish products was aimed to introduce the different value added products towards self-entrepreneurship. The resource persons for the training programme were Dr Jesmi Debbarma Senior Scientist and Mr. Bhuneshwar, Senior Technical Officer of ICAR-CIFT. The programme focused on business opportunities in post- harvest fisheries with special emphasis on the scope of value-added fish products in retail trade. The practical sessions included hygienic handling of fish, preparation of different market forms such as gutted fish, marinated fish, fish steaks and fish fillet. A total of 50 trainees from Aizawl, Mamit and Kolasib district sre expected to participate in the training programme which will later be divided into 25 each.

Dr Jesmi Debbarma, Senior Scientist, ICAR-CIFT delivered the welcome address. Pi Laltleipuii, Joint Director of Fisheries Department, Mizoram proposed the vote of thanks.