Central University of Kerala signs MoU with ICAR-CIBA
Periye: The Central University of Kerala signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Central Institute of Brackish Water Aquaculture (CIBA) under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). The memorandum is mainly for the promotion of brackish water fish farming in the northern Kerala.
As a part of this, various awareness programmes will be conducted to educate people about the potential of brackish water fish farming, which is expected to create more employment opportunities for farmers. The programmes also aim at addressing the problems that farmers are currently facing in the field.
The farmers will also get services from experts in the field. brackish water fish farming under the auspices of the central university will be conducted during the first phase which will be on an experimental basis. CIBA will be providing fish needed for farming.
The MoU was signed between Dr. Rajendra Pilankatta, Registrar-in-Charge for the Central University representing the university and Dr. K.K. Vijayan for CIBA. Vice-Chancellor Prof. H. Venkateshwarlu inaugurated the program. Dean of Academic Prof. K.P. Suresh, Institute of Technology Management Unit Officer in Charge Dr. P.K. Patil, Dean of School of Biological Sciences Prof. Govinda Rao Duddukuri, Zoology Department Head Prof. Sudha Kappalli, Dr. P.M. Aneesh addressed the gathering.
CIBA is a Central Government Institution that leads research in the field of brackish water fish farming. The two institutions will work together to promote aquaculture in North Kerala. Farmers will be trained along with providing technologies to make fish farming more innovative and profitable. Steps will be taken to expand brackish water aquaculture and attract more people including the youth to the aquaculture practices.
Vice Chancellor Prof. H. Venkateshwarlu, in his inaugural address, said that the university is driven by the idea of doing something that is good for the community. "Kasaragod and Kannur are areas with high potential for brackish water fish farming. The collaboration of the Central University and CIBA will lead to attracting more people to it", he said adding that the university is looking forward for collaborations with more research institutes.
Dr. Vijayan explained the scope of collaboration between CUK and CIBA to develop brackish water aquaculture. He emphasized on the positive outcome of the MoU in the current scenario when brackish water farming is emerging as a sector which can produce food, employment and economic benefits.