The Kisan Mela was conducted on 18.06.2025 at Tamil Nadu Dr. J. Jayalalithaa Fisheries University, Nagapattinam to mark the 14th Foundation Day of the University. The Entrepreneurs developed by Krishi Vigyan Kendra and Tamil Nadu Dr. J. Jayalalithaa Fisheries University exhibits their products in the university campus. The event was presided over by Dr. N. Felix, Vice-Chancellor, Tamil Nadu Dr. J. Jayalalithaa Fisheries University. In his presidential address, explained about the major objectives of the university such as Teaching, Research and Extension which are effectively conducted by directorates, colleges, research stations, vocational colleges, fish culture incubation centers and training centers established in 13 districts in TamilNadu. He said that University is concentrating on GIFT tilapia, seed production of Loach, Murrel, Anabus, Pacu, Seabass, and Crab. Skill training on sea safety fro fishermen is given in co-ordination with Fisheries Department. Dr. Sheikh. N. Meera, Zonal Director, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Hyderabad was the Chief guest on the occasion and inaugurated the exhibition and delivered a Chief guest address. In this speech, he said that the Indian Council of Agricultural Research is focusing on agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry and aquaculture research for agriculture and food production. Freshwater fish farming, brackish water fish farming and marine fish farming play an important role in food and nutrition security. At present, horticulture, animal husbandry and aquaculture are important components of the gross domestic product of agriculture and earn additional income. He said that, ideas should be developed to carry out animal husbandry and aquaculture in the context of climate change, a backyard fish farming model farm should be created, a mobile application with artificial intelligence should be developed at the Fisheries University and a visionary plan in fisheries need be developed for the next ten years. He said that 50% funding would be provided for the establishment of a fish feed production plant at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Sikkal for low cost fish feed production to the farming communities. At the end of the ceremony, he has distributed ornamental fish, Indian major carps, Pacu, chicks and goat to the economically weaker section of the district and also issued certificates to the value-added product producers who participated in the exhibition. In addition, training was provided in the seminar on climate-friendly traditional rice varieties cultivation technologies, modern cultivation technologies for high yields in horticultural crops, doubling income through animal husbandry, climate-friendly aquaculture technologies, and value-added technologies in agriculture and agro-based products delivered by Dr. R. Rethinasabapathy, Former Programme coordinator, KVK, Karaikal, Dr. V. Sundaram, Professor, Dept. of Horticulture, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Agricultural College, Karaikal, Dr. V. C. Suresh, Assistant Professor, VUTRC, Nagapattinam, Dr. P. Yuvarajan, Assistant Professor, Dr. MGR Fisheries College and Research Institute, Thalaigniaru, Dr. A. Mathivanan, Subject Matter Specialist, KVK, Sikkal respectively.
More than 175 farmers, farm women and entrepreneurs including University Officers, Professors, Subject Matter Specialists, and Technical staff members were participated in this programme. Earlier, Dr. P. Padmavathy, Director of Extension Education, Tamil Nadu Dr. J. Jayalalithaa Fisheries University, delivered the welcome address. Finally, Dr. A. Gopalakakannan, Programme Coordinator, Kirishi Vigyan Kendra, Sikkal has delivered formal vote of thanks and programme ended with National anthem.
