India is primarily an agricultural country where more than 50% population is involved in agricultural activities. High poverty and widespread unemployment and poor dignity attached to farm work in rural areas push rural youth to alternate means of livelihood. This trend is further aggravated by the relatively low rate of return from agricultural activities. To reverse this situation, the ministry of agriculture and ICAR has taken the number of steps, and one among them is ARYA (Attracting and Retaining Youth in Agriculture). ARYA is one of the proactive initiatives launched by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research to attract youth and impress them to choose agriculture as a career.
A three-day training programme on “Science and agricultural careers after School Education” was organised by ICAR-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture during 26th -28th September 2016 for plus one students comprising of Biotechnology and Biology from Sri Sankara Senior Secondary School, Adyar, Chennai.
Dr. K.K.Vijayan, Director, CIBA in his special address pointed out the purpose of this training programme and highlighted the importance of the aquaculture sector in food production, and the science involved in aquaculture, possibilities of career and entrepreneurship avenues in the brackishwater aquaculture sector. He assured the support of the guidance of CIBA in this initiative. Dr T. Ravisankar, Principal Scientist, Social Sciences Division welcomed the trainees and gave a snapshot of CIBA’s activities.
Students actively participated in the three days training programme. The programme covered nursery and grow-out pond management of finfishes, shellfishes, feed preparation and disease management by means of oral presentations and field facilities of Muttukadu Experimental Station. The Scientists of ICAR-CIBA Drs. C.P. Balasubramaniam, J.Shyma Dayal, Sherly Tomy, P..Ezhil Praveena, Shyne Anand,. Kumararaja, Sandeep, Tanveer Hussain, Jose Antony from CIBA answered the questions raised by the students. Drs.T.Ravisankar and D.Deboral Vimala, Principal Scientists, Social Sciences Division delivered lectures on Science Careers after School Education. They also counselled students individually about choosing suitable careers for their aptitude and skills. The training programme concluded with a valedictory session.
Students and faculties in their feedback thanked CIBA Director and scientists for organising a student-friendly module suitable for them, giving new vistas in aquaculture, which were new to them.
The programme ended with the vote of thanks proposed by Dr (Mrs) D.Deboral Vimala, Principal Scientist, Social Science Division (SSD) who organised the programme with Dr T.Ravisankar, Principal Scientist, SSD, ICAR CIBA Chennai.
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