BAGHMARA, March 9: A total of 20 farmers and youths from five different villages in South Garo Hills made a two-day exposure visit to the College of Fisheries, Assam Agricultural University (AAU), Raha, Nagaon, Assam, on March 6 and 7 under the capacity building for adoption of technology (CAT) programme. The visit was funded by NABARD, and organised by the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) South Garo Hills.
A total of 20 farmers and youth from five different villages in SGH participated in the visit.
The exposure programme was led by Thongam Monika Devi, Subject Matter Specialist (Fisheries), and Kit M Marak, Skilled Supporting Staff, under the leadership and guidance of Dr A Haribhushan, Principal Scientist and Head.
During the programme, distinguished faculty from AAU’s College of Fisheries provided insightful lectures and practical sessions. Dr. Kamaleswar Kalita, Professor and Head of the Department of Aquaculture, Dr Dipak Kumar Sara, Professor, Department of Aquaculture, Dr Pabitra Kumar Saharia, Associate Professor, Department of Aquaculture, Dr Kaustabh Bhagavati, Assistant Professor, Department of Aquaculture, and Inam Aktar Hussain, Assistant Professor, Department of Fish Processing Technology, shared their expertise on scientific fish farming practices relevant to the Northeastern states, as well as fish processing techniques.
In addition, Dr Rajeev Dutta, Assistant Professor, Department of Aquatic Environment Management, conducted a practical session on water quality testing, which helped participants gain hands-on experience in managing fish farming environments.
The farmers were also given a tour of the college’s Integrated Farming System (IFS) model, hatchery unit, and various fish ponds, explained by the farm manager of the College of Fisheries.
As part of the exposure visit, the participants also visited the historic Pabhoi Fish Farm, located in Pabhoi, Assam.
The farm is one of the oldest in Northeast India with Biren Bhagavati and Bhargav Bhagavati, the owners, providing insights into the farm’s activities and its history.
Bhargav explained the breeding process using hatcheries and seed production for Amur carp, Pabda, and Magur and also demonstrated the techniques of fish seed packaging, feeding, and various types of fish feeds.
The exposure visit provided the farmers and youth with an opportunity to learn advanced aquaculture techniques and best practices, which will contribute significantly to the enhancement of fish farming in the South Garo Hills region of Meghalaya.
