Ronita Torcato

Fisheries research and education are critical as food requirements will increase radically by 2050, Director General, Indian Council of Agricultural Research-Central Institute of Fisheries Education (ICAR- CIFE) and Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) Dr. Himanshu Pathak  said at the ICAR-CIFE Convocation held March 20.

Addressing the staff and students, Dr Pathak stressed the importance of innovative research and extension programs in aquatic foods by expanding fish farming, increasing productivity, improving marketing, and reducing post-harvest losses.

He called on the Institute to promote aspiring entrepreneurs in the fishing sector through a program set up   with assistance from developmental agencies and financial institutions that would not only sponsor the program but also sustain the trained entrepreneurs through financial support and handholding.

The Convocation Director and Vice Chancellor of ICAR-CIFE, Dr. Ravi Shankar CN conferred degrees on 50 doctoral and 90 postgraduate students.

Dr. Himanshu Pathak, who was the chief guest of the convocation, said that fisheries provide employment to millions and also meet the nutritional requirements of the world’s growing population.  In view of the importance of this sector, the Government of India  established a separate Ministry of Fisheries, he recalled,through carving out the Fishery Division from the erstwhile Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries. 

Dr. Pathak also appreciated the significant contribution ICAR-CIFE has made in developing energy-efficient and environmentally friendly technologies for inland saline aquaculture. 

A highlight of the  Convocation was a meeting of the deans of various colleges of fisheries from across the country to discuss and improve  the syllabi.

 On the sidelines, students held a formal meeting  and a fish festival featuring  delicious fish products from different parts of the country. In addition, fisheries students from different fisheries colleges showcased their talents in the cultural program. 

ICAR-CIFE is a Center of Excellence in Fisheries Higher Education in the country. It is also the only university in the world that produces master’s and Ph.D students in eleven highly specialized disciplines of fisheries.