The Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA) has launched SMART Pond, an intensive fish culture system designed to achieve a production target of 20 tons per hectare annually. The SMART Pond features advanced gadgets such as a Mechanical Fish Harvester, a CIFA-SMART PondFeeder, and a Sensor-based Aeration System to detect pollutants, making it a significant advancement in smart aquaculture.
The SMART Pond was inaugurated by Dr. Himanshu Pathak, Secretary of DARE & DG of ICAR, during National Fish Farmers Day at CIFA Headquarters in Bhubaneswar on 13th July. In addition to launching the SMART Pond, Dr. Pathak laid the foundation stone for the Institute’s Genome Editing Facility, inaugurated the Catfish Recirculating Aquaculture System, and launched the geospatial decision support system CIFA AquaNIRNAY.
Dr. Pathak emphasized the importance of developing customized technology packages for fish farmers and adopting precision farming techniques, including the use of AI technology, to achieve smart farming. The event also saw the Transfer of Technology/MoU exchanges for various institute technologies, including CIFAX, ICAR-CIFA L-Check, ICAR-CIFA M-Check, and the release of ICAR-CIFA BroodVac.
The occasion was graced by Dr. Joykrushna Jena, Deputy Director General (Fisheries Science) ICAR, and Dr. Rakesh Chandra Agrawal, Deputy Director General (Agricultural Education) ICAR, as Guests of Honour. Both emphasized the need for further research and the implementation of new technologies in farmers’ fields. The event also featured an Exhibition–cum-Kisan Mela, the felicitation of fourteen fish farmers and entrepreneurs, and the release of the Network Program on Precision Agriculture (NePPA) website and ICAR-IIWM products.
Over 200 participants, including farmwomen, progressive farmers, entrepreneurs, and government officials from Odisha and other parts of the country, attended the program.
