, 01 August 2016 : In order to increase production of Rohu fish that are consumed across India, Indian Council of Agricultural Research’s Central Institute Of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with hatchery owners to multiply rohu fish.

The MoU was signed with S K Biswal, Jagatsinghpur, Odisha; S Belchandan, Durg, Chhattisgarh; R Amir, Berhampore, West Bengal; Kumar J. Maharathha, Bhatapada, Banpur, Odisha; and Debajit Barman, Nalbari, Assam for establishing multiplier units of improved rohu called as ‘Jayanti’ produced by the institute.

Rohu also called roho labeo (Scientific name: Labeo rohita) is a species of fishof the carp family, found in rivers in South Asia.

There is a need to popularize the improved variety of rohu with the larger goal of improving quality of seed produced in the country, Dr P Jayasankar, Director, ICAR-CIFA stressed while speaking at the MoU event.

Dr. Jayasankar suggested combining CIFABROODTM (Carp broodstock diet) and ‘Jayanti’ technologies so as to produce the fingerlings by June with a view to maximizing market gains for farmers and also stressed upon the need for branding ‘Jayanti’.

Dr. J.K. Sundaray, Head, Fish Genetics and Biotechnology Division outlined the program schedule and delineated the challenge of 30 per cent replacement of existing stock of rohu with ‘Jayanti’.

Agri Business Incubation (ABI) Center along with Fish Genetics and Biotechnology Division of ICAR-CIFA with the financial support of National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) coordinated a workshop which was organized in connection with the event.