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A groundbreaking initiative to address child malnutrition by incorporating nutrient-rich small fish powder into children’s diets has yielded encouraging results in Kamrup district, Assam. Launched as part of the Poshan Maah celebration in September 2023, the six-month pilot programme has significantly improved children’s Body Mass Index (BMI) and reduced cases of underweight and severe stunting.

The programme, titled ‘Pilot-cum-Scaling: Inclusion of Nutrient-Dense Small Fish Powder in Diets among Pre-School Children of Anganwadi Centres and LP School Children through a Partnership Approach at Bongaon Block in Kamrup District of Assam’, shared its findings on Thursday, reporting notable health improvements among the children. The Kamrup district administration led the project with support from World Fish, a CGIAR research organization, and financial backing from the APART Project of ARIAS Society, in collaboration with the Assam Department of Fisheries.

Kamrup District Commissioner Keerthi Jalli officially presented the results during a programme held at her office in Amingaon, accompanied by Dr. Sanjay Sarma, Fishery Coordinator of the APART Project, and Pratul Barman, District Fishery Development Officer, Kamrup.

Expressing her satisfaction with the programme’s outcomes, Commissioner Jalli emphasized the improvements in children’s nutritional status. “The success of this initiative highlights the potential for similar interventions to be expanded across Assam, and the partnership between World Fish, local authorities, and various stakeholders offers a model that could be replicated in other regions facing nutritional challenges,” she remarked.

Jalli also underscored the importance of fish in the local diet, noting, “Fish is a staple in Assam and is rich in essential nutrients. Recognizing its value in addressing nutritional deficiencies, this project introduced small fish powder into the diets of pre-school and primary school children in Bongaon Block, Kamrup District. The initiative involved 55 Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) and 43 Lower Primary (LP) Schools, reaching about 3,300 children. The children received fish powder-enriched meals three times a week, with servings of 7g for AWCs and 8g for LP schools. This is a first in India.”

The positive outcomes of this pilot project suggest it could serve as a model for similar efforts to combat child malnutrition across the country.

Source: The Sentinel of this land, for its people

The ICAR-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (ICAR-CIBA), Chennai, in collaboration with Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, organized a workshop and exposure visit on “Recycling of Fish Waste to Value-Added Products, CIBA-PlanktonPlus and CIBA-HortiPlus” from 1st to 2nd August 2024. The event, held at Olaikuda village in Rameswaram taluk, Ramanathapuram district, Tamil Nadu, aimed to empower and uplift coastal communities.

The program was part of a Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science & Technology, New Delhi-funded project titled “Establishment of DBT Rural Bio-resource Complex at Ramanathapuram District, Tamil Nadu.” Approximately 60 participants, including farmers, panchayat leaders, Self-Help Group members, students, RSFFPO members, and ICAR-CIBA scientists, attended the event. CIBA-PlanktonPlus and CIBA-HortiPlus products were distributed to the attendees.

CIBA scientists provided insights into fish waste processing, preparation of value-added products, and their applications in agriculture and aquaculture. Dr. Kuldeep K Lal, Director of ICAR-CIBA, emphasized the potential of these technologies to enhance food production in the country. Dr. P. Mahalakshmi, Principal Scientist at CIBA and Principal Investigator of the project, highlighted how the technology has enabled resource-poor fisher groups to establish a registered company producing over 15 tonnes of products annually. Dr. K P Sandeep, Scientist at CIBA and Co-Principal Investigator, elaborated on the processing steps and discussed the challenges and opportunities in marketing these value-added products.

Shri T. Kennit Raj, a fish farmer and proprietor of V.S. Fish Waste Hydrolysate in Kasimedu, shared his experience establishing a fish waste processing unit with CIBA’s support. He expressed satisfaction with the upliftment of their socio-economic status and the provision of alternative livelihoods for coastal communities. Mr. S. Tamil Selvaraja, CEO of Rameswaram Segaram Fish Farmers Producer Organisation (RSFFPO), also expressed gratitude to CIBA for empowering coastal communities through fish waste recycling technology.

The workshop was coordinated by Dr. P. Mahalakshmi and Dr. K. P. Sandeep, who addressed all participant queries.

Source: ICAR-CIBA

The ongoing violence and protests in Bangladesh have dealt a severe blow to the fish trade in West Bengal, with Howrah’s bustling fish market experiencing a dramatic decline in sales. The disruptions have led to a sharp drop in fish imports, inflicting substantial financial losses on traders in Kolkata. According to a report by news agency ANI, the quantity of fish arriving from Bangladesh has plummeted, resulting in daily financial losses amounting to crores of rupees.

For the past four to five days, the import and export of fish between India and Bangladesh have been completely halted, severely affecting the supply of popular fish varieties, including the highly prized Hilsa. Syed Anwar Maqsood, secretary of the Fish Importers’ Association, expressed concern over the situation, noting, “We are in the business of exporting and importing fish from Bangladesh. For the last month, ever since the protests started, the market has been affected. Our export and import of fish have taken a hit.”

Previously, around 100 to 110 metric tonnes of various fish were exchanged daily between India and Bangladesh. However, this volume has drastically reduced, resulting in daily losses running into lakhs of rupees. Maqsood further elaborated, “On the occasion of Durga Puja, Bangladesh used to give us special permission for Hilsa fish for one month every year. Now, due to the situation in Bangladesh, it seems unlikely that Hilsa fish will be available.”

Hilsa, renowned for its distinctive taste and sourced from the Padma River in Bangladesh, is a favourite among Bengalis and enjoys widespread distribution across India and internationally. The disruption in supply is anticipated to result in potential losses running into crores, with around 200 metric tonnes of fish affected.

Despite the bleak outlook, the association remains hopeful for a turnaround. “We expect the situation to normalise within the next few weeks. We are in continuous dialogue with our counterparts in Bangladesh, but the situation remains unstable. Our payments are delayed, and the overall business outlook is uncertain,” Maqsood said. He also called on the Indian government to consider the situation in Bangladesh and work towards fostering strong relations with the new government there, emphasizing the importance of stable bilateral ties for the smooth running of the fish trade.

Source: abp

Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah announced that the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) has selected 910 primary fisheries cooperatives for development as Fish Farmer Producer Organizations (FFPOs). These cooperatives are spread across the coastal states of India, including Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Goa, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, and Odisha. Additionally, 70 new FFPOs have been registered in the cooperative sector.

Speaking at a press conference, Minister Shah highlighted the government’s commitment to enhancing the fisheries industry through robust cooperative structures. “The NCDC has undertaken a comprehensive plan to strengthen the fisheries sector by selecting 910 primary fisheries cooperatives for development as FFPOs. This initiative is aimed at empowering fish farmers and boosting their productivity and income,” said Shah.

The minister also announced that the NCDC has provided financial assistance to the Government of Maharashtra and cooperatives in Gujarat for the purchase of 44 deep sea trawlers. “This financial support is part of our broader strategy to equip fish farmers with modern and efficient fishing vessels, which will enhance their capabilities in deep-sea fishing,” he added.

Shah elaborated on the collaborative effort behind this initiative, stating, “The plan for setting up new primary cooperative societies, including fisheries and other cooperative societies, is being implemented by NCDC with the support of NABARD, National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), National Level Cooperative Federations, and State Governments. This multi-agency approach ensures comprehensive support and resources for the development of the fisheries sector.”

The announcement marks a significant step in the government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the cooperative sector and improve the livelihoods of fish farmers. The establishment of FFPOs is expected to provide fish farmers with better access to markets, technology, and financial resources, thereby increasing their overall productivity and profitability.

The government’s focus on developing the fisheries sector through cooperatives is part of its broader vision to enhance rural incomes and promote sustainable agricultural practices. By leveraging the cooperative model, the initiative aims to create a more organized and efficient fisheries sector that can contribute significantly to the country’s economy.

For more updates and detailed information on the development of FFPOs and other cooperative initiatives, stay tuned to official government releases and announcements.

The National Coastal Mission Scheme (NCM), under the National Coastal Management Program, continues to make significant strides in coastal conservation and management. The program is structured around four main components:

1. Management Action Plan on Conservation of Mangroves and Coral Reefs
2. Research & Development in Marine and Coastal Ecosystems
3. Sustainable Development of Beaches under Beach Environment & Aesthetic Management Service
4. Capacity Building / Outreach Program for Coastal States/UTs, including Beach Cleaning Drives

Implementation and Funding

The NCM is implemented by the State Governments of Coastal States and Union Territory (UT) Administrations. Funding is released based on proposals reviewed by the Ministry, ensuring targeted and effective use of resources.

Financial Support and Achievements

From 2018-19 to 2023-24, a total of ₹7.94 crore has been allocated under both the Externally Aided Programme (EAP) and non-EAP components. This funding has facilitated the development of infrastructure facilities, pollution abatement, safety surveillance, and beach cleaning in Andhra Pradesh.

Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project (ICZMP)

In addition, the Government of India, through the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), has implemented the Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project (ICZMP). This project has significantly contributed to mapping hazard lines, eco-sensitive areas, and sediment cells along the entire coastline of India, including Andhra Pradesh.

These efforts reflect the ongoing commitment to preserving and enhancing India’s coastal ecosystems, ensuring sustainable development and environmental protection for future generations.

Source: India EducationDiary.com

In a recent development, the Gujarat government has extended the fishing ban in the Arabian Sea by an additional two weeks, now set to last until August 15. This decision has sparked criticism from the Congress party, which describes the extension as “unfair and reckless,” citing potential financial strain on local fishermen.

A senior official from the Gujarat fisheries department confirmed on Sunday that the extension was decided in consultation with the central government. The move follows a request from the fishermen’s association, which argued that extending the ban would allow more time for fish to breed. The government also considered scientific data and current weather conditions in making the decision. It is anticipated that other western coastal states may adopt similar measures.

Previously, the annual fishing ban in Gujarat was observed from June 1 to July 31. However, the Gujarat fisheries department issued a notification on July 31 amending the Gujarat Fisheries (Amendment) Rules, 2020. The updated rules now prohibit fishing in both inland and territorial waters from June 1 to August 15, totaling 76 days per year.

Congress leader Shaktisinh Gohil criticized the abrupt extension, stating that it was made without proper discussion with the fishing community. He highlighted that fishermen had already made preparations for the fishing season, including purchasing diesel, ice, and other supplies, and had traveled to their fishing locations under the assumption that the season would begin on August 1. Gohil further noted that fishermen were now left stranded and facing financial losses due to the last-minute change.

The Congress also pointed out that unlike in other states, Gujarat does not offer financial support to fishermen during the fishing ban period.

Gujarat’s Director of Fisheries, Narander Kumar Meena, defended the decision, explaining that it was made in response to requests from the fishermen’s association and based on scientific evidence. He noted that the fishing ban period was previously from June 10 to August 15 but had been adjusted to start earlier from June 1. Meena indicated that this extension was a measure to align with broader regulations and that similar policies might be adopted by other western coastal states in the future.

In the 2020-21 period, Gujarat had 36,980 registered fishing boats, and marine fishing revenue for 2021-22 was reported at ₹7,659 crore.