Uttar Pradesh–WorldFish Fisheries MoU Targets Quality Fish Seed and Farmer Training in Gorakhpur

The news

The Uttar Pradesh Department of Fisheries and WorldFish, a Malaysia-based international research organisation, signed a memorandum of understanding on Friday to improve fish production and productivity in the state. Under the agreement, WorldFish will open a Uttar Pradesh Fisheries Project office in Gorakhpur to provide technical support and training to fish farmers, hatchery operators, youth, researchers and departmental personnel in the eastern Uttar Pradesh region.

The MoU was exchanged by the Director General of the Uttar Pradesh Department of Fisheries, Dhanalakshmi K, and the Director General of WorldFish Malaysia, Dr Essam Yassin Mohammed. According to Dhanalakshmi K, the partnership aims to increase fish production and productivity, ensure the availability of quality fish seed, spread modern aquaculture techniques and raise the income of fish farmers. WorldFish will provide technical handholding for hatchery seed production of improved fish varieties such as pangasius and GIFT tilapia, covering broodstock management, breeding, spawn, fry and fingerling production.

The cooperation also includes technical support for the development of a state broodstock multiplication and research facility, a nucleus brood bank and pedigree germplasm conservation. These facilities are intended to support seed production and conservation of genetically improved fish varieties, including Amrit Catla, Jayanti Rohu and Amur common carp. The project will also conduct technical training and exposure visits for departmental officers and fish farmers.

What is WorldFish and its role in India?

WorldFish is an international non-profit research organisation that works to reduce poverty and hunger by improving fisheries and aquaculture. It is a member of CGIAR, a global research partnership for a food-secure future. In India, WorldFish has collaborated on projects to introduce improved fish strains and strengthen seed systems, including the dissemination of GIFT tilapia through public-private partnerships. The organisation has previously worked with state governments and research bodies such as the Indian Council of Agricultural Research on aquaculture development.

What does the MoU aim to achieve?

The MoU is designed to increase fish production and productivity, improve the availability of quality fish seed, spread modern aquaculture techniques and raise the income of fish farmers. WorldFish will provide technical handholding for hatchery seed production of pangasius and GIFT tilapia, covering broodstock management, breeding, spawn, fry and fingerling production. The project also includes technical training and exposure visits for departmental officers and fish farmers.

Which fish varieties and conservation facilities are covered?

Technical cooperation will support seed production and conservation of genetically improved fish varieties, including Amrit Catla, Jayanti Rohu and Amur common carp. The project will help develop a state broodstock multiplication and research facility, a nucleus brood bank and pedigree germplasm conservation facilities.