Gadvasu to mark Fish Farmer's Day with week-long events

Time of India

a day ago

Ludhiana: Gadvasu's College of Fisheries is gearing up for a week-long celebration to mark National Fish Farmer's Day, which falls on July 10, highlighting the pivotal role fish farmers play in the country's aquaculture development.
The celebrations will be held from July 7 to 11.
Meera D Ansal, dean, College of Fisheries, said, "The event aims to laud the invaluable contributions of fish farmers who have transformed traditional aquaculture into a dynamic, profitable, and scientifically managed enterprise. This transformation has played a key role in making fisheries the fastest growing sector in Indian agriculture."
Highlighting the origin of this national observance, Meera recalled that National Fish Farmers Day is celebrated on July 10 each year to commemorate a landmark achievement in Indian aquaculture — the successful induced breeding of Indian major carps in captivity by two legendary scientists, Hiralal Chaudhury and HK Alikunhi, in 1957.
This breakthrough laid the foundation for India's Blue Revolution, leading to a massive boost in fish production across the country.
The significance of the day was officially recognised in 2001, when July 10 was declared as the National Fish Farmer's Day to honour the contribution of farmers in transforming fisheries into a "sunrise sector" of the Indian economy.
JPS Gill, vice-chancellor, Gadvasu, lauded the efforts of fish farmers, calling them "unsung heroes of the food system." He emphasised that aquatic food provides about 20% of the animal protein intake to over 3.2 billion people globally, underlining the critical role of the fisheries sector in global food and nutrition security. "NFFD celebrations are an opportunity to reflect on and recognise the contribution of our fish farmers to the nation's food basket," he said.
RS Grewal, director (extension education), emphasised Punjab's immense potential in freshwater and inland saline aquaculture.