Secretary DARE and DG, ICAR visits Lakshadweep and reviews activities of ICAR-CMFRI and KVK-Lakshadweep
Dr. Himanshu Pathak, Secretary DARE and DG, ICAR visited Lakshadweep during 20-22 April 2024. He reviewed activities of ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CMFRI) and KVK-Lakshadweep functioning under ICAR-CMFRI on 22nd April 2024. A Pre action plan meeting of KVK-Lakshadweep was organised by the KVK involving farmers and other stakeholders of the Island in the august presence of Dr. Himanshu Pathak.
Reviewing the research and development interventions undertaken in agriculture and allied sectors by ICAR-CMFRI and KVK, the Secretary DARE and DG, ICAR reiterated the services of KVKs and its roles in development of agriculture and allied sectors of the country. He lauded the efforts of the ICAR-CMFRI towards the fisheries development, especially its initiatives to foster the climate resilient livelihood avenues like seaweed and marine ornamental fish farming. He appreciated the works of the KVK-Lakshadweep undertaken in different islands of Lakshadweep amidst several constraints of logistics and manpower. The Secretary, DARE emphasized that the technological interventions in pristine territories like Lakshadweep should be friendly with its fragile environment and should be fostering its natural beauty. He instructed the KVK to address the specific needs of the stakeholders raised in the discussion, especially the capacity building requirements. He also urged all the ICAR institutes working in the island to support the KVK for outreach of technologies. The need for strengthening the KVK-Lakshadweep of ICAR-CMFRI was also signalled by the Secretary DARE and DG, ICAR.
The meeting was also graced by the Director of ICAR-National Bureau for Fish Genetics Resources, Lucknow. Dr. P.N. Ananth, Senior Scientist and Head, KVK-Lakshadweep made a detailed presentation on the activities of ICAR-CMFRI’s KVK-Lakshadweep. Dr K. Mohammed Koya, Senior Scientist, ICAR-CMFRI presented the ongoing projects and programmes of the ICAR-CMFRI in Lakshadweep. The farmers and the entrepreneurs who attended the meeting were given opportunity to raise their needs and expectations from the KVK.
