High Commission of India

Colombo

PRESS RELEASE

Aquaculturists from Sri Lanka attend Special Capacity-building Programme at ICAR-CIFA in India

A customized capacity-building programme for 10 aquaculturists from the National Aquaculture Development Authority (NAQDA) under the Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources of Sri Lanka, was organized from 02 to 13 February 2026 at the Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA), Bhubaneshwar - the premier research institute for freshwater aquaculture in India under the aegeis of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research.

2.      The programme encompassed technical sessions on themes such asspecies and system diversification; carp broodstock management, cryopreservation and induced breeding; nursery pond management and seed rearing protocols; biofloc-based fish farming in freshwater; application of advanced technology in aquaculture; use of plastics in aquaculture with special reference to aquaponics; comprehensive health management in freshwater finfish and shellfish; aquaculture field school & farmer-to-farmer extension; among others.The participants were provided the opportunity to visit major farms and laboratory facilities of CIFA, including the smart pond units, biofloc facility, freshwater prawn unit, ornamental fish unit, air-breathing fish unit, and selective breeding facilities.
   
   
3. Subsequent to successful completion of the programme, the participants engaged in an interactive feedback session with the High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, H.E. Santosh Jha and Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources of Sri Lanka, Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar. Secretary, Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources Dr. B. K. Kolita Kamal Jinadasa and Chairman NAQDA, Mr. Kithsiri Dharmapriya, also attended the session. In his remarks, the High Commissioner underscored the growing partnership in the field of capacity building, an important pillar of the development cooperation between the two countries. He highlighted thatIndia’s enhanced capacity-building endeavour now covers 1000 professionals and civil servants annually, over and above existing schemes such as the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation programme.

*****

Colombo

16 February 2026

Sinhala PR - Aquaculturists from Sri Lanka attend Special Capacity-building Programme at ICAR-CIFA in India.