The SAARC Regional Training Program on ‘Mass breeding and culture techniques of catfishes’ was conducted at ICAR- Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (ICAR-CIFA), Bhubaneswar, India during 16-21 July 2018. The training was jointly organized by the SAARC Agriculture Centre (SAC), Dhaka, Bangladesh, ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, Bhubaneswar and  Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi, with objectives;

  1. Training and demonstration of breeding techniques of some selected  high valueed Asian catfishes vz., C. Batrachus, P. Pangasius and H. Brachysoma etc.
  2. Demonstration of hatchery rearing/culture techniques for mass seed production of catfishes, for diversification of aquaculture and species conservation in South Asia.

The 14 researchers, fish hatchery owners and fisheries and aquaculture specialists from SAARC member states, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka participated in the training. During the 6 days training program a wide range of subjects related to catfish breeding and culture were covered by the expert resource persons. More than 60% of the curriculum was practical training, through learning by doing approach.

A part from the training and class room teachings the delegates got opportunity to visit different archeological and heritage sites. They were exposed to local culture, food, art, music, handicrafts etc.

Dr. Sangram Ketan Sahoo, Principal Scientist, and Dr. B. R. Pillai, Director (In charge) coordinated the program at ICAR-CIFA. The program was visited by the Deputy Director General (Fisheries Science), ICAR.

Dr. Shiba Shankar Giri, Senior Program Specialist (Fisheries), SAARC Agriculture Centre (SAC) coordinated the program and led the SAARC delegation to India.