An online course mobile app, namely ‘Matsya Setu’ was launched by the union Ministry for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying on July 9, 2021. The app will disseminate the latest freshwater aquaculture technologies to the aqua farmers of the country. It is the fruition of the combined efforts of Indian Council of Agricultural Research-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (ICAR-CIFA), Bhubaneswar and the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), Hyderabad. ICAR-CIFA developed the app with the funding support of NFDB.
The app has the following features:
- species-wise and subject-wise self-learning online course modules divided into small video chapters for the convenience of the learners, along with additional learning materials;
- basic concepts and practical demonstrations on breeding, seed production, and grow-out culture of commercially important fishes such as carp, catfish, scampi, murrel, ornamental fish, and pearl farming, etc.;
- information about better management practices for maintaining the soil and water quality;
- information about feeding and health management in aquaculture operations;
- quiz/test options for self-assessment to motivate the learners and provide a lively learning experience;
- automatic generation of an e-certificate for farmers;
- interaction facility with experts regarding any queries, or advice; and
- is absolutely free.
Significance of the App
The app provides online training ornamental on fisheries, seaweed culture, module on feed preparation, and post-harvest value addition. This capacity building fish initiative for farmers will lead in spearheading technology-led aquaculture development in India. Therefore, the app must reach each and every fish farmer in the country. No doubt, the app would foster the dissemination of technological information in an effective manner to inculcate the adoption of scientific methods in aquafarming. It will enable farmers to produce more fish and improve their income and will help reach out to more than 10,000 farmers across the country.
Some Other Programmes Related to Fisheries
Shaphari Certification Scheme for Aquaculture Products is based on the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization’s technical guidelines on aquaculture certification and has two components: (i) certifying hatcheries for the quality of their seeds, and (ii) approving shrimp farms that adopt the requisite good practices.
Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) was created with an estimated fund outlay of Rs 7522.48 crore to encourage private entrepreneurs and fish farmers to create fisheries infrastructure facilities in order to achieve 20 million tonnes of fish production by 2022–23.
Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana aims at enhancing fish production by an additional 70 lakh tonne by 2024–25, doubling of incomes of fishers and fish farmers, and generation of additional 55 lakhs direct and indirect gainful employment opportunities in fisheries sector and allied activities.
Blue Revolution, with its multi-dimensional activities, focuses mainly on increasing fisheries production and productivity from aquaculture and fisheries resources, both inland and marine. It aims at increasing the overall fish production in a responsible and sustainable manner for economic prosperity, modernising the fisheries with special focus on new technologies, ensuring food and nutritional security, etc.
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