19 March 2026, Kolkata
ICAR–Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, Barrackpore, Kolkata commemorated its 80th Foundation Day today, marking eight decades of excellence in inland fisheries research and development. Established in 1947, the Institute has played a pioneering role in advancing sustainable inland fisheries and contributing significantly to India’s food and nutritional security.
Over the years, ICAR–CIFRI has led transformative advancements in fisheries science, including induced breeding, composite fish culture, reservoir and wetland management, Hilsa conservation, enclosure culture, and large-scale river ranching. These innovations, along with the development of next-generation technologies and value-added products, have strengthened the fisheries sector and supported its transition towards a resilient, technology-driven, and inclusive future.
India currently ranks as the world’s second-largest fish-producing nation, contributing nearly 8% to global production, with inland fisheries accounting for over 75% of the total output. ICAR–CIFRI has been instrumental in driving this growth trajectory since its inception.
Dr Prabir Kumar Ghosh, Vice-Chancellor, Visva-Bharati University, graced the occasion as Chief Guest and lauded the Institute’s contributions in shaping India’s fisheries sector. He emphasized the importance of scientific progress in national development.
Dr Tirtha Kumar Datta, Vice-Chancellor, West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery Sciences, commended ICAR–CIFRI for its sustained efforts in enhancing farmers’ and fishers’ incomes.
Dr Ashok Kumar Patra, Vice-Chancellor, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, highlighted the Institute’s revolutionary technologies that have driven the Blue Revolution in the country.
Dr Pradip Dey, Director, ICAR–CIFRI highlighted the Institute’s legacy and its continued contributions to inland open water fisheries, biodiversity conservation, and stakeholder empowerment. Emphasizing the integration of climate-resilient and advanced technologies such as drones and sensor-based systems, he reiterated the Institute’s alignment with the principles of the Blue Economy and the One Health approach. He also underscored ICAR–CIFRI’s role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in the areas of zero hunger, nutrition security, and gender equality.
Dr Gouranga Kar, Director, ICAR–CRIJAF, Kolkata and Dr D.B. Shakyawar, Director, ICAR-NINFET, Kolkata also conveyed their appreciation for the Institute’s impactful outreach and research initiatives.
To mark the occasion, a ‘Creative Solutions Lab on Situation-Specific Technology Targeting for Advancing a Sustainable Blue Economy’ was organized to explore convergence opportunities with ongoing government missions and schemes for effective scaling of technologies.
The programme also aligned with the United Nations’ declaration of 2026 as the Year of Women Farmers, recognizing the critical role of women in agri-food systems. A total of 48 women fisherfolk from five wetlands Chamta, Kundipur, Sindrani, Akaiur, and Khalsi actively participated.
On this occasion, ICAR–CIFRI also released an eco-friendly, water-dispersible product, “CIFRI-CleanMeen,” developed from edible plant extracts. The product effectively eliminates red-blooded weed fishes within 24 hours while sparing white-blooded aquatic organisms, making it suitable for pond preparation, shrimp culture, and live fish harvesting. Additionally, a publication titled Agricultural Briefs of West Bengal & ICAR Interface was released.
Meritorious students were felicitated for their outstanding achievements during the event. The celebration witnessed the participation of scientists, staff, research scholars, fish farmers, and entrepreneurs, marking another milestone in ICAR–CIFRI’s journey.
Reaffirming its commitment to innovation, sustainability, and inclusive growth, ICAR–CIFRI continues to contribute towards building a robust fisheries sector in line with the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.
(Source: ICAR–Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, Barrackpore, Kolkata)
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