A six-day capacity building programme on scientific fish farming was held at Lahowal College recently. Organized jointly by Jeeva Suraksha, a Sibsagar based NGO working on conservation, education and employment generation in Northeast India, and ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai, the programme was sponsored by Mising Autonomous Council, Gogamukh, Dhemaji for the Mising community people of Dibrugarh and Sivasagar districts. With a view to exploring opportunities and providing a platform for technical support to the rural folk in order to become self-sufficient in fish production and to explore employment opportunities, the programme envisaged various subjects that covered composite fish culture, integrated farming systems, fish seed production and raising as well, ornamental fish culture and promotion of aquarium industry along with hands-on training on construction of aquarium and cage for fish farming in beel and river systems, particularly for flood-affected areas at NR hatchery, Lahowal. A total of 46 participants were trained in two batches. The inaugural function of the programme was attended by Lohit Deka, Head Programme, All India Radio, Dibrugarh as chief guest along with Jagannath Bania, Ranjan Dutta of State Fisheries Department- Dibrugarh, Niranjan Pike, successful entrepreneur of the State. The fucntion was chaired by JP Dutta, Principal of Lahowal College. Prof SP Biswas, Department of Life Sciences, Dibrugarh University, Ranjan Dutta, Rafique Saikia, Fisheries Extension worker, Department of Fishery, Niranjan Pike, entrepreneur, Dr Binku Dutta, Lekhanta Borah, Nipen Nayak, Dr Ranjita Bania and Lohit Deka acted as resource persons for the programme. A book on scientific fish farming written by the Course Director Dr Ranjita Bania, titled Assamot Meen Palon was also inaugurated in the programme by Jagannath Bania, social worker and advisor of the society. The Principal of the college, JP Dutta chaired the inaugural programme.
The Sentinel