A delegation from Department of Fisheries, Assam visited College of Fisheries, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU), Ludhiana under Assam Agribusiness and Rural Transformation Project (APART, Fishery). It was coordinated by the APART Nodal Officer Dr. Dhrubajyoti Sharma, Senior District Fisheries Development Officer, Assam. The delegation included Mr. Sanjib Chodhury, Deputy Director of Fisheries, Assam; Mr. Trailokya Saloi, District Fishery Development Officer, Nalbari and Mr. Bhaskar Jyoti Nath, District Fishery Development Officer, Morigaon.
The major thrust of the delegation was to interact with the faculty of College of Fisheries to perceive available aquaculture technologies in the State and explore the on-going R&D programs; to work out possible future collaboration for aquaculture research, development and policy making. The delegation visited different departments of the College and its Instructional-cum-Research Farm, with special interest in infrastructure and facilities available for aquatic animal health management; fish processing and value addition; and intensive aquaculture technologies. Scientists Dr. S. N Datta, Dr. Prabjeet Singh and Dr. Abhed Pandey coordinated the visit and interacted with the delegates to identify areas of common interest and collaboration.
Dr. Meera D. Ansal, Dean of College of Fisheries shared that collaborative R&D programs with Assam can help Punjab Fisheries to diversify with many economic indigenous food and ornamental fish species; besides supporting various cottage industries related to aquatic resources. She informed that Assam State is famous for Indian Magur fish seed production, which is valued as medicinal fish and has great market demand, and about 16 native ornamental fish species of excellent/high export value inhabit Assam waters. She further said that both the states can be mutually benefitted through technology exchange and hence, suitable collaborative projects may be formulated for the said purpose.
Dr. Inderjeet Singh, Vice Chancellor, GADVASU also endorsed growth of fisheries sector through collaborative ventures for strengthening the germplasm diversity and national/international trading, subsequently enhancing productivity, profitability and sustainability.
