Ampati: The 2nd District Aqua Fest 2024 was successfully held on Thursday at the office of the Superintendent of Fisheries, Ampati in Meghalaya’s South West Garo Hills district.
The event brought together farmers, officials, and banking representatives to discuss and promote sustainable fisheries practices in the region.
Key dignitaries at the event included R Z D Shira, ADC and Project Director of DRDA, South West Garo Hills, who served as the chief guest, along with J.H. Suchiang, Joint Director of Fisheries; R.B. R Marak, Deputy Director of Fisheries; K.N. Sangma, Assistant Director of Fisheries, and R.V. Ch. Sangma, Superintendent of Fisheries, Ampati.
District heads, officers from various departments, and representatives from the Meghalaya Cooperative Apex Bank (MCAB) and State Bank of India (SBI) were also in attendance.
The event began with a warm welcome from R.V. Ch. Sangma, highlighting the importance of the Aqua Fest in fostering growth in the fisheries sector.
The program included an awareness campaign on the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme and National Fisheries Development Portal (NFDP) registration, aimed at empowering fish farmers with knowledge and resources.
R Z D Shira emphasized the role of banking institutions in supporting farmers and encouraged responsible loan repayment practices. He also stressed the importance of the NFDP in promoting sustainable fishery practices and addressing financial challenges in the sector.
J.H. Suchiang, Joint Director of Fisheries, highlighted the importance of collaboration among stakeholders to ensure the continued growth and development of fisheries in the region.
Over 50 fish farmers participated in the event, gaining valuable insights and engaging directly with officials and experts.
Awards were presented to outstanding contributors to the fisheries sector. Nobin Arengh of Betasing C&RD Block received the award for Best Progressive Farmer and Rupam Koch, also from Betasing C&RD Block, was recognized as the Best Value-Added Fishery Entrepreneur.
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The 2nd District Aqua Fest 2024 was a resounding success, providing a platform for innovation, collaboration, and recognition in the fisheries sector of South West Garo Hills.
