National News

Fish Cryobanks to be set up in different parts of the country

“Fish Cryobanks” to be setup in different parts of the country by National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) in collaboration with the National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (NBFGR).

10 July 2020, New Delhi: On the occasion of National Fish Farmers Day, a webinar was hosted today by the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying in association with the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB). Fishermen, officials, scientists, entrepreneurs from different parts of the country has joined the webinar.

Read: ICAR-CMFRI kick-starts new farming challenge towards food security

Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Mr Giriraj Singh mentioned that “Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana” (PMMSY) has been launched with highest ever investment of Rs. 20,050 crore during next five years. This scheme will address the critical gaps in fish production and productivity, quality, technology, post-harvest infrastructure and management. It will also address modernisation and strengthening of value chain, traceability, establishing a robust fisheries management framework and fishermen’s welfare. 

National Fish Farmers Day is celebrated on 10th July every year in remembrance of scientists Dr. K. H. Alikunhi and Dr. H.L. Chaudhury  who successfully demonstrated the technology of induced breeding (Hypophysation) in Indian Major Carps on 10th July, 1957 at the erstwhile ‘Pond Culture Division’ of CIFRI at Cuttack, Odisha (presently Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, CIFA, Bhubaneswar). The event aims to draw attention to changing the way the country manages fisheries resources to ensure sustainable stocks and healthy ecosystems. 

Fish Cryobank

Shri Giriraj Singh said that providing ‘Quality Seed’ of fish is very important in enhancing production and productivity in the country. He announced on the occasion of ‘National Fish Farmers Day’ that NFDB in collaboration with the National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (NBFGR) will take up the work to establish “Fish Cryobanks” in different parts of the country, which will facilitate all time availability of ‘fish sperms’ of desired species to fish farmers.

This would be the first time in the world when “Fish Cryobank” will be established, which can bring a revolutionary change in the fisheries sector in the country for enhancing fish production and productivity and thereby increasing prosperity among the fish farmers. 

Dr.Kuldeep K. Lal, Director, NBFGR informed that the “Cryomilt” technology developed by the NBFGR in support with NFDB will be helpful in establishment of “Fish Cryobanks”, which will provide good quality of fish sperms in hatcheries at any time.