National Fisheries Development Board Chief Executive P. Krishnaiah on Wednesday called for innovation in fisheries research.
He was speaking at a workshop on ‘Innovations 4 industry' conducted by Zonal Technology Management and Business Planning and Development (ZTM-BPD) Unit (south zone) of Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT) along with NFDB.
The event was organised as part of the Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR)'s vision to achieve scientific enterprising by establishing a positive relationship between research institutions and industry.
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The workshop attended by several experts from the research institutes and the industry focused on entrepreneur-ready technologies developed by research institutes under ICAR ranging from culture, capture to value addition of fish. The investment opportunity by making use of innovation was dwelt upon by the participants.
Mr. Krishnaiah described fishing entrepreneurs in AP as very aggressive but at the same time he blamed lack of strategy and innovation for unhealthy competition and crashing down of prices.
He pointed out how fishermen in the State had a yield of two lakh tonnes of ‘rahu katla' fish a few years ago even when the government was not aware of its potential. However, the production went up to five lakh tonne thereby leading to a crashing of price per kg from Rs.50 to Rs.40.
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Mr. Krishnaiah said research institutes and farmers should be vigilant on the market trends. Incubation, cage culture, food technologies and other innovative creations should be taken from the lab to the users. He also underlined the need for observing protocols for hygienic management of fishing harbours and expressed his anguish over woefully bad conditions prevalent at Visakhapatnam and other fishing harbours.
Deputy Director General (Fisheries), ICAR B. Meena Kumari said scientific enterprising was the need of the hour. She said ICAR was encouraging collaborative effort for sustainable food technologies and livelihood security.
CIFT Director T.K. Srinivasa Gopal, Director, National Agriculture Innovation Project (NAIP) Bengali Baboo, regional president of Seafood Exporters' Association of India M. Padmanabham, ICAR Assistant Director General S. Mauria, NAIP national coordinator N.T. Yaduraju, Central Institute of Brackish-water Aquaculture Director A.G. Poonaiah and others spoke. Scientist In-charge of CIFT (Visakhapatnam) M.M. Prasad proposed a vote of thanks.