Ornamental fish farming promising livelihood opportunity, say experts

A three-day training programme on “Ornamental Fish Breeding and Rearing for Entrepreneurship Development in Mid-Hill Regions of Himachal Pradesh”, sponsored by the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), concluded successfully on January 31 at Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya (CSKHPKV), Palampur.

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The programme, organised by the Department of Fisheries under the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (COVAS), aimed to equip farmers and youth with the necessary skills to explore ornamental fish farming as a viable livelihood option.

Prof Naveen Kumar, Vice-Chancellor of CSKHPKV, congratulated the participants and encouraged them to consider ornamental fish farming as an entrepreneurial opportunity in Himachal Pradesh. He emphasised its potential as a profitable venture and an additional source of income, particularly in the mid-hill regions of the state.

A total of 50 farmers and young entrepreneurs from various parts of Himachal Pradesh actively participated in the training. They received both theoretical and practical exposure on various aspects of ornamental fish farming, including types of ornamental fish; breeding and rearing techniques; disease management and treatment; and fish nutrition and care.

Experts from the State Fisheries Department and NFDB conducted informative sessions, guiding participants on funding options and government schemes available for setting up ornamental fish farming ventures. The training was conducted by Dr Tarang Sharma, Dr Madhu Sharma and Dr Prasenjit Dhar, who shared their expertise on ornamental fisheries.

At the closing ceremony, Dr Ravindra Kumar, Dean of DGCN COVAS, distributed certificates to the participants and reiterated the economic potential of ornamental fish farming. He highlighted that with proper knowledge and techniques, ornamental fish rearing can be both a fulfilling hobby and a sustainable business for farmers and youth in Himachal Pradesh.

This initiative is expected to encourage more individuals to explore aquaculture-based entrepreneurship, contributing to both self-employment and rural economic growth in the state.