The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard) has released Rs. One crore from the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund to M.V.K.R. Fisheries Polytechnic College at Bhavadevarapalli in Krishna district.
India’s first fisheries polytechnic college is affiliated to Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University (SVVU). “The fund, which was released in December 2014, will be spent on developing an information centre, soil and water testing labs apart from sea water treatment plant on the college premises,” Principal K. S. Krishna Prasad said.
The information centre would help aqua farmers understand changes in aquaculture. Central institutes such as Central Institute of Brackish Water Aquaculture, Central Institute of Marine Fisheries Research Institute would be allowed to use the information centre to share their knowledge with the farmers and conduct of various programmes. “A proposal to set up boarding facility for farmers was sent to SVVU. The facility will attract farmers from across the State to participate in various field activities planned by the college,” Mr. Prasad said, adding that work on the project would begin by March 2015.
