Aqua-preneurship development with bio-floc fish farming- a three days training programme organized under ABI, ICAR, Tripura Centre ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Tripura Centre, Lembucherra organized a three days training programme on “Aqua-preneurship development with bio-floc fish farming” during November 5-7, 2020 under the ABI component. The purpose of this training was building the capacity of unemployed youth and fish farmers who are seeking additional income and employment using the bio-floc technology. There were 21 participants in total. On day-1, the participants were sensitized with the pros and cons of the technology where among them there were Dr. Biswajit Das, Joint Director, Dr. Lopamudra Sahoo, Sr. Scientist (Aquaculture), Dr. C. Debnath, Scientist SS (FRM), and three young entrepreneurs- Mr. Shuvam Debnath, Mr. Banabir Datta and Mr. Diptanu Deb. Then the participants were taught about the materials and equipment/ apparatus require for bio-floc fish farming and their sources, biofloc tank setup, preparation of FCO (fermented carbon organic), testing of water quality parameters and their management. On Day 2- the participants were taught about the disinfection of the bio-floc tank, fittings of aerator, floc estimation using Imhoff cone, selection of fish and their quarantine, disease management, stocking of fish etc. On Day 3, the participants were taught about the quality assessment of FCO, its transfer into the biofloc tank, calculation of feeding rate of fish, application of molasses and other related aspects like bio-security measures, winter management for year-the-round income and employment. Then the participants were taken into plot of two bio-floc fish farmers for garnering more knowledge about the technology and economic appraisal. The programme was concluded with distribution of certificates among the participants. This programme was coordinated by Dr. C. Debnath and Dr. L. Sahoo and financial assistance was provided by the ABI centre of ICAR NEH looking after by Dr. G. Kadirvel, Principal Scientist and PI (ABI) and Dr. BK Kandpal, Director, ICAR NEH, Umiam Meghalaya.

Participants of training Sensitization about the technology

Testing of water quality parameters Preparation of tank

Preparation of water before stocking fish Preparation of FCO

Fish selection Testing of floc volume using Imhoff cone

Field visit _1 Field visit_ 2