Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (ICAR CIFT)

Diamond Jubilee Foundation Day Celebrated at Visakhapatnam Research Centre of ICAR-CIFT

ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (ICAR-CIFT) has celebrated its Diamond jubilee foundation day on 29.04.2017. Dr. R. Raghu Prakash, Scientist-in-Charge, ICAR-CIFT, Visakhapatnam highlighted the research achievements and contributions of CIFT over the last 60 years. Over the years, CIFT has been focusing on basic, strategic and applied research aimed at minimizing loss to biodiversity and environment through responsible harvesting, design and fabrication of energy efficient gears and craft, innovative product development, quality assurance, waste management etc. The technologies developed by the Institute have played a vital role in modernizing the harvest and post harvest fishery sector of India, helping India become a major exporter of processed fish and fishery products there by contributing to nation’s economy and food security. On the human resource development front, CIFT offer its premier technical expertise and advice for entrepreneurship development in the areas of food safety, fishing and fish processing on a continuously evolving basis. He assured that every effort of CIFT will be made to empower the weaker sections of society including the fishermen, the rural poor and financially backward community, through training and skill development programme.

The guests of the day Sri V. Padmanabham, President, Seafood Export Association of India; Sri S.B. Rangari, Head, CIFNET, Visakhapatnam and Dr S.S. Raju, Scientist-in-Charge, CMFRI offered felicitations.

Shri. V. Padmanabham, President, Seafood Export Association congratulated CIFT for its significant contribution to the field of fisheries sector in the country. He attributed the success of CIFT to the dedicated team of scientific, technical, supporting and administrative staff. He said scientists are rendering dedicated service to the nation and it is scientist’s vision that shapes the present, past and future of the country. He said that in the present context, stagnating marine catches is a major issue that the fishing industry is facing and urged fishers to adopt the clean and green fishing technologies developed by CIFT for ensuring sustainability in fisheries. He advocated the need for fish exporters to venture in to value addition for earning higher foreign exchange. He advised that CIFT should guide fishers in harvest and post-harvest handling of tuna for realizing better price. He lauded CIFT for its significant contribution in developing skilled manpower in the form of trained technologists to the seafood processing industry.

Sri S.B. Rangari, Head, CIFNET, Visakhapatnam extolled the efforts of CIFT in responsible fishing and human resource development.

Dr S.S. Raju, Scientist-in-Charge, ICAR-CMFRI said that it is critical to address the nutritional security and protein deficiency issues. He applauded the services of CIFT to the harvest and post-harvest fishery sectors.

Two books were released on the occasion of Diamond jubilee foundation day. Sri V. Padmanabham, President, Seafood Export Association of India released the book on ‘Technologies developed by ICAR-CIFT, Visakhapatnam’ and Sri S.B. Rangari, Head, CIFNET, Visakhapatnam released the book on ‘Scientific Publications of ICAR-CIFT, Visakhapatnam’

Earlier Dr U. Sreedhar, Principal Scientist welcomed the gathering and Dr B.Madhusudana Rao, Principal Scientist proposed the vote of thanks.

Representatives from different fisheries sectors including Central (FSI, CIFNET, NIFPHTT, IWST, CMFRI), State Govt. officials, academicians from Andhra University, representatives of boat operators associations, seafood entrepreneurs, fisherwomen, NGOs and retired staff of ICAR-CIFT etc. participated in the meeting.

The meeting was be followed by an Open house, where, the fishing technology, fish processing and microbiology laboratories of the research centre was open to the public, to create awareness among the stakeholders and public, on the activities and technologies developed at the centre. Students, fishers, officials and general public visited the laboratories.

The event was well covered by print and electronic media.