The Hindu
Need to develop the industry in rural areas stressed
- Create micro-agrarian societies around watershed areas'
- Research findings have to be made available for farmers'
Mangalore, Dec 22: Find new water resources for developing inland fisheries so that those living in rural areas can get fish protein, experts at the valedictory of the two-day international symposium on "Sustainable Fisheries Development for Food and Health Security" said here on Thursday December 21.
The symposium was organised by The College of Fisheries, a constituent institution of Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University (KVAFSU).
Delivering the valedictory address, former vice-chancellor of the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, K.V. Devaraj said that with the marine fishery resources dwindling, the country should turn towards inland fisheries.
Dr Devaraj said that micro-agrarian societies could be created around large watershed areas, so that farmers could take up integrated horticulture, agriculture and fishery activities.
Giving details about the availability of resources for such activities Dr. Devaraj said that there were 3,300 sub-watershed areas in the State, where the water holding capacity extended from 10 to 12 months. Such areas could be used for farm pond- based aquaculture, he said.
More water bodies had to be created for low-input-technology-based aquaculture to help raise fish in small quantities of water, he added.
Inspector General of Police (Western Range) H.N. Sathyanaryana Rao, one of the alumnus of the college and the president of the college's Alumni Association, said that there was a large potential for growth of inland fisheries. But research findings had to be made available for farmers to guide them to optimise production, he said.
Registrar of the KVASFU Suresh Honappagol said that the university was taking steps to ensure that the gap between the operational fisheries and the research institutes was brought down.
Dean of the college P. Keshavnath, and organising secretary Shivananda Murthy were present.