ICAR-CIFA Launches Aquaculture Farmer Field Schools at Fatepur, Karandighi of Uttar Dinajpur

Fatepur: ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, Bhubaneswar, Odisha in association with Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Chopra (Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalay) today launched Aquaculture Farmer Field School at Fatepur, Karandighi Block, Uttar Dinajpur of West Bengal. A team of ICAR-CIFA Scientists Dr.B.N.Paul, Dr.S.S.Giri, Dr.H.K.De, Dr.S.Adhikari, Dr.R.N.Mandal, and Dr. Dr.Saroj Kumar Swain established the farmer field school for farmer to farmer learning and dissemination of aquaculture technologies. The initiatives of Dr. B. N. Paul, Nodal officer of SCSP Scheme and Dr. Surojit Sarkar, Head, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Chopra have led to the establishment of the Field Schools for empowering over 2000 farmers in 20 nearby villages in adopting scientific aquaculture practices. Dr. Surojit Sarkar in his welcome address highlighted the roles played by the KVK for livelihood development in Uttar Dinajpur district. Shri Safiqul Alam is the Operator Farmer of the Aquaculture Farmer Field School. While inaugurating the field school virtually Dr. Saroj Kumar Swain, Director of ICAR-CIFA appreciated the initiatives and assured the farmers and farm women the technical support from ICAR-CIFA. He highlighted the efforts made by ICAR-CIFA under Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCSP) scheme of Government of India in helping the farmers of Uttar Dinajpur for adopting advanced farming techniques. Dr. S.S. Giri, Head, Fish Nutrition and Physiology Division of ICAR-CIFA highlighted the role of field schools in empowering farmers for strengthening rural livelihood. Dr. S. Adhikari, Dr. R. N. Mandal, Dr. H. K.De, Scientists of ICAR-CIFA and Subject matter specialists of Chopra, KVK also participated in the programme. Around 110 farmers attended the programme maintaining COVID guidelines.