Hot seat

P. Jayasankar,
director, Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture

Can you tell us about Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture’s journey in becoming one of the premier centres for studies in freshwater aquaculture?

It had its beginning in the Pond Culture Division of Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, which was established in Cuttack in 1949 to find solutions to the problem of fish culture in ponds and village tanks. In 1976, it was developed as Freshwater Aquaculture and Training Centre at Kaushyalaganga in Bhubaneswar, and in 1987 blossomed into its full capacity and became an independent institute as the Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA). Now, it conducts research in ponds on its 147-hectare premises.

CIFA is located on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar. So, the general public does not know much about it. What do your scientists do?

CIFA has a fish farm that includes 380 ponds of various sizes to serve different rearing and production phases of fish and shellfish culture. There are also facilities for ornamental fish breeding and culture.

The Centre and the state government is emphasising on transfer of technology from research laboratory to the field. How will a common farmer benefit from the technology developed by your institute?

Development of “Jayanti Rohu” is a landmark achievement demonstrating the potential of the selective breeding programme to increase freshwater production. With such high-yielding varieties, aquaculture can become a promising industrial activity with high returns. We are also taking steps for prolonged and multiple breeding of major Indian carps from April to September. We have collaborated with farmers in Puri, Khurda, Boudh, Mayurbhanj and Sambalpur for transfer of technology. There is a helpline (0674-2111849) that remains open on Tuesdays and Fridays to answer queries of farmers.

What are the threats fresh water aquaculture farmers are facing?

The aquaculture sector today faces the threat of unauthorised use of antibiotics and chemicals, which pose danger to consumers’ health. There is a need to develop effective mechanism to curb such practices.

Does CIFA have other research centres in India?

There are research centres in Bengal, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. We are opening another centre in Gujarat.

Does CIFA get international research projects?

As a lead centre in carp farming of the Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia-Pacific, CIFA has gained recognition as a resource centre for several international training programmes. The institute, at present, is operating 17 institute-based projects and 17 externally-funded projects besides consultancy and contract research programmes.

Why is Odisha behind in fish production compared to Andhra Pradesh?

We depend on Andhra Pradesh for poultry products too. Farmers here lack the drive to earn money.

What is the share of freshwater fish?

Inland fisheries make for over 60 per cent production, of which 85 per cent comes from aquaculture. The target is to increase the annual production level of 3.9 million tonnes at present to 8 million tonnes by 2030. In order to achieve that, CIFA has prepared a vision document-2030, which aims to increase fish availability per capita in the country from 5.6 kg to 15 kg by 2030.

Man of many activities

An eminent scientist in the field of aquaculture from Kerala, P. Jayasankar is actively associated with the post-graduate studies in Mariculture since 1996 for teaching and guiding students

He has taken up research activities in DNA bar-coding of fish and molecular taxonomy of marine mammals

He is also an expert in freshwater aquaculture production and management

Jayasankar has received many awards including fellowship of the Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology

He has also been honoured as the member of the Indian Regional Working Group of Fish Barcode of Life Initiative and got the honorary fellowship of the Society of Biological Sciences and Rural Development

He has reviewed 39 journals, edited one book and contributed 58 research articles

He was part of a multi-disciplinary cruise that went on a 51-day pilot expedition to the Southern Ocean (better known as the Antarctic Ocean)

He has also visited Japan and Malaysia for research work in the field of biotechnology and empowering vulnerable stakeholders in aquaculture

What would you have been had you not been a scientist?

I am a biologist by default. So, the question about being in any other profession does not arise. My father was a professor in zoology. I was a good student since childhood and I had a number of options, but I did my graduation in zoology.

I did my post-graduation in Mariculture from the Cochin University of Science and Technology as its first batch student. The subject dealt with marine fish and other marine creatures. People might have many ambitions in life. But it was a natural and automatic call for me to take up the study of fish. I cannot think of anything beyond that.