ICAR-CIFT observed Agricultural Education Day on 3rd December, 2016
ICAR-CIFT observed Agricultural Education Day on 3rd December, 2016
On 3rd December, 2016 ICAR- Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, Cochin celebrated the “Agricultural Education Day” to commemorate the birth day of Bharat Ratna Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the first Union Minister of Agriculture of India and first President of Independent India. On 3rd December, 2016 ICAR- Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, Cochin celebrated the “Agricultural Education Day” to commemorate the birth day of Bharat Ratna Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the first Union Minister of Agriculture of India and first President of Independent India. The day was celebrated by arranging one day seminar on “Importance of Agricultural Education in India” organized for school students along with farmers’- scientists interaction cum training programme for the Fisher women.
In the forenoon of this important day, ICAR-CIFT organized a one day farmers- scientists interaction cum Hands-on training programme on “Women Self-Employment through Improved Techniques of Fish Processing and Value Addition” for the women SHGs (Kudumbasree) of Thoppumpady area of Willingdon Island in Cochin with an objective to educate them about economic empowerment of women through value added fish products development and to inculcate the skill and knowledge among the fisher women regarding the preparation of different types of value added fish products which in turn helps them to earn supplementary income by initiating some viable enterprises in fishery sector. The programme was participated by 25 women members from seven SHGs (Kudumbasree) operating in Thoppumpady area.
Dr. Suseela Mathew, HOD, B &N Division and Director (i/c), ICAR-CIFT presided over the function which was formally inaugurated by Cochin Corporation Councilor Mrs. Malini BIju. In her presidential address, Dr. Suseela Mathew, HOD, B & N Division and Director (i/c) spelt out that the training is a non-formal type of education to bring a change in the knowledge, skill and attitude of the farmers and this programme will give them an opportunity to learn about the potential technologies on fish processing and value addition. In this context, she cited about different successful entrepreneurs already established by the initiative of ICAR-CIFT.
Gracing the occasion as Chief Guest Mrs. Malini BIju, Councilor, Thoppumpady, in her inaugural address, lauded the pioneering role of ICAR-CIFT and its scientists for the development of fish harvesting and fish processing technologies in the country since its inception during 1957 and asked for the cost effectiveness of these technologies for wide-scale adoption. Initially welcoming the trainees,
Dr. A.K.Mohanty, HOD, Division of Extension, Information and Statistics highlighted the importance of such training programme that brings a change in the behavioural complex of the participants through an effective learning process and create their interest towards advanced fisheries technologies on harvest and post-harvest sectors. Dr. A. A. Zynudheen, Principal Scientist (Fish Processing) coordinated the practical demonstrations on various types of value added fish products in the Pilot Processing Plant of the institute.
Later, farmers’-scientists interaction programme was organized in the afternoon to provide instant solutions to various problems faced by the fisher women on a common platform. Expert scientists of ICAR-CIFT took keen interest to resolve the farmers’ queries related to fish processing, fish harvesting, safety measures, nutraceutical aspects, marketing strategies and technology sustainable issues.
Besides, in order to add more value to the Agricultural Education Day celebration, ICAR-CIFT also organized an one day seminar on “Importance of Agricultural Education in India” on 3rd December, 2016 for the higher secondary students at Kendriya Vidyalalya (KV), Port Trust, Willingdon Island, Cochin to highlight the significance of Agricultural Research, Education and Extension in various spheres of agricultural sciences and motivate the students to put their best efforts in shaping their career in the field of agriculture. Participating in the seminar Dr. Susheela Mathew, HOD, B &N Division and Director (i/c), ICAR-CIFT; Dr. Leela Edwin, HOD, Fish Technology Division; Dr. M. M. Prasad, HOD, MFB Division and Dr. A.K. Mohanty, HOD, EIS Division delivered lectures on various topics like 'Role of ICAR- CIFT for fishery sector development', 'Improved technologies in fisheries', 'Technological advancements in Indian Agriculture' and 'Career opportunities in agricultural education', respectively. More than 80 students from Class XI and XII of the school attended the seminar along with some teaching staff of the school.
Dr. Susheela Mathew, HOD, B &N Division and Director (i/c), ICAR-CIFT in her deliberation on “Role of ICAR- CIFT for fishery sector development” highlighted about the accomplishments of the institute and the contributions of scientists for the fishery sector development to draw the attention of the students towards this profession. Dr. Leela Edwin, HOD, Fish Technology Division spelt out the advanced technologies in fishing and fish processing evolved by the fishery scientists which created large scale impact in the fishery sector. Then Dr. M. M. Prasad, HOD, MFB Division delivered a lecture on “Technological advancements in Indian Agriculture” to enlighten the students about the importance of Indian agriculture including fishery for building the national economy giving emphasis on role of Biotechnology, Microbiology for technology development.
Lastly, Dr. A.K. Mohanty, HOD, EIS Division in his address highlighted the importance of Agricultural Research, Education and Extension (AGREE) in ushering different revolutions in agriculture sectors namely Green revolution in agriculture, White revolution in milk production, Blue revolution in fishery and Yellow revolution in oil seed production. He justified the role of ICAR in promoting excellence in agriculture education and in bringing a visible impact in national food and nutritional security and advised the students to build a successful career in agriculture by explaining different scopes, opportunities and challenges involved in the sector. The school students and their teachers showed keen interest towards agriculture education starting from graduation to Ph. D. level, type of entrance examinations to get through and the career prospects in different sectors like Research, Teaching, extension, agri-entrepreneurship etc., so that they can plan for pursuing their higher studies in agriculture education.
 delivering lecture at School.JPG)
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