CMFRI puts pedal on 'Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan' programme
Kochi: The scientists of the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) have embarked on a two-week-long outreach programme to directly engage with fish farmers and fishermen across the country as part of the 'Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan' programme of the Central government.
'Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan' is a nationwide campaign by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in association with state governments.
Around 2,000 teams, comprising scientists and experts from 113 ICAR institutes and 731 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) along with field officers from state- level departments of agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, fisheries, as well as innovative farmers, will be part of this campaign, which is aimed to reach around 1.5 crore farmers in the country.
CMFRI will leverage this campaign to popularise its cutting-edge technologies with an aim to enhance India's mariculture production through wider adoption.
CMFRI scientists will now visit villages, demonstrating and explaining advanced practices such as cage fish farming, marine ornamental fish farming, mussel farming, oyster farming, seaweed cultivation, innovative fish breeding technologies, and scientific coastal aquaculture.
CMFRI Director Grinson George said the community will be given awareness on a range of technologies and the prospects of seaweed farming and integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA).
"CMFRI envisions increased productivity with a target of 2.5 million tonnes of fish production from mariculture by 2047 against the current estimate of a meagre 1.5 lakh tonnes. To a great extent, effective adoption of innovative technologies will help to achieve this target. We would also focus on boosting start-up enterprises in the sector by offering guidance and technical support," said George.
In Kerala, CMFRI's outreach teams, comprising 36 scientists, will visit all districts, collaborating closely with the respective KVKs.
Similarly, all the Centres of the Institute located in various coastal states will take part in the campaign in their respective regions.
"A landmark initiative in connecting scientists and farmers, this direct engagement will greatly help fishery scientists tailor their research work and development efforts to fulfil the community's demands more effectively," said George.
Beyond technology awareness, the CMFRI teams will also collect crucial feedback, remarks, and responses from the farming and fishing communities to understand the specific issues and challenges faced by farmers.
"The scientists will listen to the issues of the stakeholders and foster a strong connection with them.
'Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan' is a significant effort to ensure that scientific advancements translate into tangible benefits for the grassroots, added George.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Time of India
Viksit Krishi Sankalp to cover farms in 7 Pb dists
Ludhiana: To bridge the gap between research and rural livelihoods, Union minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched a nationwide agricultural outreach campaign, Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan, here recently to empower and equip farmers with the knowledge and tools for the kharif cropping season. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The initiative aims to connect directly with farmers at the grassroots level, particularly in rural and underserved regions. Eleven team of scientists from ICAR-CIPHET (Central Institute of Post Harvest Engineering and Technology), Ludhiana and ICAR-IIMR (Indian Institute of Maize Research), Ludhiana have been formed for a 15-day outreach programme across several farm villages in seven districts of Punjab namely Ludhiana, Moga, Barnala, Fatehgarh Sahib, Malerkotla, Rupnagar and SBS Nagar districts. A multidisciplinary team of agronomists, environmental scientists, soil experts, and technology specialists are visiting farms to talk about recent sustainable agricultural practices, assess local challenges, and co-create solutions with village farmers. The outreach, which began on May 29, will continue until June 12. "Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan" is part of the group's broader commitment to promote climate-smart farming and enhance food security through science and lead to the national vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047. "A meeting of the scientific teams from both the institutes and officials of the state's agriculture department was organised at ICAR-Central Institute of Post Harvest Engineering Technology (CIPHET)," Rahul K Anurag, senior scientist at ICAR-CIPHET, said. ICAR-CIPHET director Nachiket Kotawaliwale chaired the session and summed up the preparedness and approach for this Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan. Emphasising the importance of the outreach, ICAR-IIMR Ludhiana director, HS Jat, said, "We are here not just to share knowledge, but to listen and learn from the farmers. Their insights are vital to shaping practical, community-based innovations."
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Gelatin from goat skin offers non-bovine, non-pork alternative to food, pharma sectors
Hyderabad: A superior gelatin extracted from the skin of Black Bengal goats with likely use in pharma and food sectors has been identified by researchers. The study highlighted its potential as a halal alternative to the two sectors seeking non-bovine and non-porcine gelatin. According to the researchers, goat skin accounted for nearly 10% of the animal's live weight and is often underutilised. The study's findings supported its valorisation into high-value gelatin, promoting circular economy practices. The research by city-based ICAR-National Meat Research Institute in collaboration with the College of Veterinary Sciences, Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University, Tirupati, compared gelatin extracted from the skins of two indigenous Indian goat breeds – Black Bengal (BBG) and Native Deccani (NDG). The study aimed to optimise the gelatin extraction process under hot air and freeze drying conditions and assess its functionality across industrial applications. The freeze dried gelatin obtained from BBG skins displayed significantly better gel strength (453g) and viscosity compared to hot air dried counterparts and NDG samples. The study also reported higher hydroxyproline content, gel clarity, and instrumental texture properties, particularly hardness, in BBG-derived gelatin. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) revealed compact, interwoven protein structures in BBG gelatin with no visible voids, indicating greater uniformity and strength. Fourier Transform Infrared analysis confirmed the presence of stable triple helical structures, with distinct Amide I and II peaks in freeze dried samples. These findings suggested that gelatin from BBG skin possessed enhanced stability and functionality. Mass spectrometry of the extracted protein bands confirmed the presence of collagen type I-α1 as the predominant chain in both goat breeds, the study said. Notably, unique peptides such as collagen type XXII-α1 and α-1(III) were observed only in BBG gelatin, suggesting breed-specific functional characteristics. A species-specific peptide found in both samples provided a molecular marker for goat-based gelatin authentication, researchers said. The study was published in the latest issue of Small Ruminant Research.
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Scientists teaching farmers new techniques to increase production: Shivraj
Motihari: Union minister of agriculture and farmers welfare on Monday said that more than 2,000 scientists would visit around 700 districts to teach over 1.5 crore farmers the use of modern technologies in allied farming under nationwide 'Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan' (VKSA). Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Aiming to transform agriculture and fisheries by promoting advanced technologies in the sector, the central govt has launched nationwide VKSA, being held from May 29 to June 12, as part of which Chouhan was in the state on the day. "Our government has connected the agricultural scientists with farmers to make them aware of new techniques to raise production," he said while addressing a meeting of farmers in Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) at Piprakothi in East Champaran district, adding this was the place where Mahatma Gandhi held his satyagraha for the first time against the British tax on poor farmers. "This place is the 'karmabhoomi' of Bapu. I am also a servant of people and have been doing work for the betterment of farmers and workers," he said. He also laid the foundations stones of several agricultural projects worth Rs 6 crore on the premises of the KVK at Piprakothi. "The teams of scientists will visit your doorstep to make you aware of modern technologies in allied farming," he told farmers. He praised the KVK of Piprakothi for doing "commendable work among the farmers" and being the foremost in Bihar. Besides, he praised the work done by former agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh, who is also the Purvi Champaran MP. Singh said that the KVK at Piprakothi stands at the same place where farmers were once tortured by the "saheb of the kothi" (British officer). Now, it has turned into a temple for farmers, he said. State jal shakti minister Raj Bhushan Nishad, cane industry minister Krishnanandan Paswan and agriculture secretary Sanjay Kumar Agarwal were also present at the function. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Motihari: Union minister of agriculture and farmers welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday said that more than 2,000 scientists are visiting around 700 farms across villages to teach the farmers about the use of modern techniques in allied farming under nationwide 'Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan' (VKSA). Aiming to transform agriculture and fisheries by promoting advanced technologies in the sector, the central govt has launched nationwide VKSA, being held from May 29 to June 12, as part of which Chouhan was in the state on the day. " Our government has connected the agricultural scientists with farmers to make them aware of new techniques to raise production," he said while addressing a meeting of farmers in Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) at Piprakothi in East Champaran district, adding this was the place where Mahatma Gandhi held his satyagraha for the first time against the British tax on poor farmers. "This place is the 'karmabhoomi' of Bapu. I am also a servant of people and have been doing work for the betterment of farmers and workers," he said. He also laid the foundations stones of several agricultural projects worth Rs 6 crore on the premises of the KVK at Piprakothi. "The teams of scientists will visit your doorstep to make you aware of modern technologies in allied farming," he told farmers. He praised the KVK of Piprakothi for doing "commendable work among the farmers" and being the foremost in Bihar. Besides, he praised the work done by former agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh, who is also the Purvi Champaran MP. Singh said that the KVK at Piprakothi stands at the same place where farmers were once tortured by the "saheb of the kothi" (British officer). Now, it has turned into a temple for farmers, he said. State jal shakti minister Raj Bhushan Nishad, cane industry minister Krishnanandan Paswan and agriculture secretary Sanjay Kumar Agarwal were also present at the function.
