(a) the details of the guidelines to open a “Central Institute of Fisheries Technology” (CIFT) in various States of the country;
(b) whether a CIFT: Satellite Centre/ Branch can be opened in any State of the country;
(c) if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether Karnataka is eligible to open CIFT in the State; and
(e) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
(SHRI SUDARSHAN BHAGAT)
(a) to (c): A need based Satellite Centre/Branch of the ICAR-CIFT can be opened in any State of the country depending on the available resources and potential and the region/ location specific R&D needs and requirements in fishing and fish processing sector. There are no specific guidelines to open a Centre/Branch.
(d) & (e): The ICAR-CIFT is providing research and development support to the harvest and post-harvest sector and is also extending need based technological, training, advisory, analytical and consultancy services to the state fisheries officials, fishers & fish farmers, private entrepreneurs and other stakeholders in the field of fishing craft and gear designing & fabrication; hygienic handling of fish, fish processing & product development; value addition, food safety & quality control, and waste utilization. The technological advancements and interventions by the Institute have led to the establishment of industrial enterprises and formation of self-help groups in the post-harvest sector.
The ICAR-CIFT can adequately address the location/region specific R&D needs and requirements of the state of Karnataka also in the field of fishing and fish processing technology through its headquarters at Kochi (Kerala) and Regional/Research Centres at Vishakhapatnam (AP) and Mumbai (Maharashtra), which are located in the adjoining state of the Karnataka.
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