Aquaculture sector is witnessing an impressive growth over the years and at present, total exports earnings from the sector are approximately Rs.57586.48 crores (2021-22). However, the diseases are the major constraint to the growth of the aquaculture. Surveillance for aquatic animal diseases is essential for early detection of diseases, thereby minimizing their impacts. Early detection of diseases is important for eradication and containment. Many cases of diseases in aquaculture go unreported due to unavailability of the field-level disease reporting mechanism. Therefore, there is a necessity of a mechanism that can connect farmers, field-level officers, and fish health experts.
In this regard, for strengthening the farmer-based disease reporting system and for improving the reporting of aquatic animal diseases in the country, Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Hon’ble Shri Parshottam Rupala Ji will launch the ReportFishDisease (RFD) App on 28th June, 2023 at Krishi Bhawan in the presence of Dr. L. Murugan, Hon’ble Minister of State, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying; Shri Jatindra Nath Swain, IAS, Secretary, Department of Fisheries, MoFAH&D, Government of India; Dr Abhilaksh Likhi, IAS, OSD (Fisheries); Dr. Himanshu Pathak, Secretary, DARE& DG, ICAR; Dr J. K. Jena, Deputy Director General (Fisheries Science), ICAR and Coordinator, NSPAAD; Dr Jujjavarapu Balaji, IAS, Joint Secretary (Marine) and other public authorities. The app has been developed by ICAR-NBFGR under National Surveillance Programme for Aquatic Animal Diseases (NSPAAD), funded under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana by the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India.
The RFD app will help the farmers in reporting incidence of diseases in finfish, shrimps, and molluscs on their farms with the field level-officers and fish health experts. This shall help farmers in getting the scientific advice for efficient management of disease. The data regarding the diseases will be stored on temporal & spatial scale and can be used for mapping the disease cases.
The App would support farmers in improving farmer-based reporting, getting scientific advice, and reducing losses due to diseases, thereby increasing farmers’ income. Also, Fish Disease Reporting App shall have a massive impact on fish disease management, promoting early detection, rapid response, collaboration, and knowledge sharing. It will contribute to the sustainability and resilience of aquaculture systems by minimizing the negative impacts of fish diseases on fish population, industry, and ecosystems.
All the aquaculture farmers, fishers, fisheries officials of State & UTs, fisheries scientist and other stakeholders are requested to join the program which intends to facilitate the people to come under the single platform from diverse backgrounds to understand the significance of early disease detection, rapid response, and effective management strategies in the aquaculture industry. Your participation and insights will contribute to the success of this endeavour.
Participants can join the program through the link provided below:
Link: https://dof-vc.webex.com/dof-vc/j.php?MTID=mc18ca9bbedcc19b4210d410e774ef094
Wednesday, June 28th, 2023, 3:00 PM | Delhi
Meeting number: 2552 235 3903
Password: Y4pJ2AmKdG2 (94752265 from video systems)
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