Press Release
Press Release by Fisheries Department Govt of Sikkim
Information & Public Relations Department
Outreach Campaign on Schemes of Government of India Successfully Held in Gangtok
Gangtok, 16th December 2024
The National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), Hyderabad, in collaboration with the Fisheries Department, Government of Sikkim, organized an Outreach Campaign on Schemes of Government of India at Janta Bhawan, DPH Road, Gangtok. The program aimed to create awareness about central government schemes in the fisheries sector and promote sustainable practices, entrepreneurship, and cooperative development.
The event was graced by the presence of Mrs. Roshni Rai, Secretary, Fisheries Department, and Shri K. K. Shrestha, Director, Fisheries Department, along with senior officers, district officers, and field staff from the Fisheries Department. Representatives from Fisheries Cooperative Societies, Fisheries Farmer Producer Organizations (FFPOs), and progressive fish farmers actively participated in the program. Dignitaries from NFDB, ICAR Institutes, and the Fishery Survey of India (FSI) were also present.
In her address, Mrs. Roshni Rai, Secretary of the Fisheries Department, emphasized the critical role of fisheries in Sikkim's economic development and the importance of capacity building for fish farmers. She applauded the National Fisheries Development Board for its continuous support and urged fish farmers to actively utilize the opportunities offered under schemes like PMMSY, which aim to modernize and expand the fisheries sector.
She highlighted the state’s potential for trout and cold-water fish farming, describing it as a niche sector with vast opportunities for entrepreneurship and value addition. She also stressed the importance of creating strong linkages between farmers, cooperatives, and markets to ensure better returns for their efforts.
The Secretary reiterated the Sikkim Government's commitment to sustainable fisheries development, noting that initiatives like this campaign are vital for increasing awareness, fostering innovation, and ultimately enhancing the livelihoods of fish farmers. She expressed optimism about the future of the fisheries sector in Sikkim, driven by collective efforts and effective implementation of government schemes.
The program was started with a briefing by Shri Ashim Kumar Borah, Senior Executive and Officer-in-Charge of NFDB’s North East Regional Centre (NERC). He outlined the campaign’s objective to empower fish farmers by leveraging government schemes. He also elaborated on the formation and strengthening of fisheries cooperatives, recognizing their critical role in promoting collective growth and market access.
Dr. Nandakishore Ingole from NFDB, Hyderabad, provided an insightful presentation on flagship initiatives such as the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), PM Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah Yojana (PM-MKSSY), Fisheries Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF), and support mechanisms including Aquaculture Insurance, Kisan Credit Cards (KCC), and registration of fishers and farmers in the National Fisheries Digital Platform (NFDP).
Dr. Suresh Chandra Kabdwal, Principal Scientist, ICAR-DCFR, Bhimtal, highlighted prospects, challenges, and strategies to enhance trout fish production in Sikkim, a region well-suited for cold-water aquaculture.
Mr. Bhuneswar Jaiswal, Technical Officer, ICAR-CIFT, Visakhapatnam, emphasized the potential for entrepreneurship through value addition of trout and other cold-water fish species.
The campaign provided fish farmers with a platform to interact with experts, learn about innovative solutions, and explore opportunities for entrepreneurship. This initiative aligns with the Government of Sikkim’s vision for sustainable aquaculture development and enhancing the livelihoods of fish farmers in the state.
Gangtok, 16th December 2024
The National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), Hyderabad, in collaboration with the Fisheries Department, Government of Sikkim, organized an Outreach Campaign on Schemes of Government of India at Janta Bhawan, DPH Road, Gangtok. The program aimed to create awareness about central government schemes in the fisheries sector and promote sustainable practices, entrepreneurship, and cooperative development.
The event was graced by the presence of Mrs. Roshni Rai, Secretary, Fisheries Department, and Shri K. K. Shrestha, Director, Fisheries Department, along with senior officers, district officers, and field staff from the Fisheries Department. Representatives from Fisheries Cooperative Societies, Fisheries Farmer Producer Organizations (FFPOs), and progressive fish farmers actively participated in the program. Dignitaries from NFDB, ICAR Institutes, and the Fishery Survey of India (FSI) were also present.
In her address, Mrs. Roshni Rai, Secretary of the Fisheries Department, emphasized the critical role of fisheries in Sikkim's economic development and the importance of capacity building for fish farmers. She applauded the National Fisheries Development Board for its continuous support and urged fish farmers to actively utilize the opportunities offered under schemes like PMMSY, which aim to modernize and expand the fisheries sector.
She highlighted the state’s potential for trout and cold-water fish farming, describing it as a niche sector with vast opportunities for entrepreneurship and value addition. She also stressed the importance of creating strong linkages between farmers, cooperatives, and markets to ensure better returns for their efforts.
The Secretary reiterated the Sikkim Government's commitment to sustainable fisheries development, noting that initiatives like this campaign are vital for increasing awareness, fostering innovation, and ultimately enhancing the livelihoods of fish farmers. She expressed optimism about the future of the fisheries sector in Sikkim, driven by collective efforts and effective implementation of government schemes.
The program was started with a briefing by Shri Ashim Kumar Borah, Senior Executive and Officer-in-Charge of NFDB’s North East Regional Centre (NERC). He outlined the campaign’s objective to empower fish farmers by leveraging government schemes. He also elaborated on the formation and strengthening of fisheries cooperatives, recognizing their critical role in promoting collective growth and market access.
Dr. Nandakishore Ingole from NFDB, Hyderabad, provided an insightful presentation on flagship initiatives such as the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), PM Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah Yojana (PM-MKSSY), Fisheries Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF), and support mechanisms including Aquaculture Insurance, Kisan Credit Cards (KCC), and registration of fishers and farmers in the National Fisheries Digital Platform (NFDP).
Dr. Suresh Chandra Kabdwal, Principal Scientist, ICAR-DCFR, Bhimtal, highlighted prospects, challenges, and strategies to enhance trout fish production in Sikkim, a region well-suited for cold-water aquaculture.
Mr. Bhuneswar Jaiswal, Technical Officer, ICAR-CIFT, Visakhapatnam, emphasized the potential for entrepreneurship through value addition of trout and other cold-water fish species.
The campaign provided fish farmers with a platform to interact with experts, learn about innovative solutions, and explore opportunities for entrepreneurship. This initiative aligns with the Government of Sikkim’s vision for sustainable aquaculture development and enhancing the livelihoods of fish farmers in the state.