By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, June 22: The ICAR-Directorate of Coldwater Fisheries Research (DCFR), Bhimtal, Uttarakhand, has established the first private rainbow trout production facility at Nongrum Mawphlang, East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya.
According to a statement here, this initiative is in collaboration with the Iatreilang Foundation Multipurpose Cooperative Society.
Following the establishment, the ICAR-DCFR, in a bid to raise awareness among the local community and stakeholders about the socio-economic benefits of rainbow trout farming, also organised a demonstration and workshop recently.
Organised in partnership with the Department of Fisheries and the Iatreilang Foundation Multipurpose Cooperative Society, the programme was attended by approximately 150 participants, including scientists, fisheries officials, professors, community leaders, farmers and students.
Addressing the gathering, Director of ICAR-DCFR, Dr. Pramod Kumar Pandey, emphasised the potential socio-economic benefits of rainbow trout farming in the coldwater regions of Meghalaya.
He encouraged the local community to utilise available resources for nutritional security.
On the other hand, North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) Vice Chancellor Dr. PS Shukla highlighted the importance of capacity building and adopting new aquaculture technologies.
On the occasion, he also announced that the NEHU would initiate a vocational training course in aquaculture in collaboration with ICAR-DCFR.
During the workshop, participants were shown the vertical incubator hatchery, nursery setup, flow-through raceways, and filtration tanks in operation.
A documentary film on the project development was also presented during the programme.