The ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT), Cochin bagged the most prestigious Sardar Patel Outstanding ICAR Institution Award for the Largest Institute - 2018 during the ICAR’s 91st Foundation Day celebrations held at the National Agricultural Science Centre Complex, Pusa, New Delhi.
On this occasion, Shri Anil Sharma, Chief Protocol and Public Relations Officer, ICAR has been awarded ICAR Cash Scheme-2018 for Technical Category.
Being agriculture-centric, the farmers are the assets of our country”, said Shri Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare & President of the ICAR Society. Shri Tomar was addressing as the Chief Guest during the 91stFoundation Day celebrations of ICAR.
The farmers play a pivotal role in the society as they are the real lifelines of the country, he added. He stated that the welfare of the agricultural and farming community is one of the foremost aims of the government. The Minister applauded the role of ICAR in ensuring the food security in the country.
Dr. Ravishankar C.N., Director, ICAR-CIFT received the coveted award from Shri Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. The Union Ministers of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Parshottam Rupala and Shri Kailash Choudhary along with Shri B.D. Sharma, Member of Parliament and Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra, Secretary (DARE) & DG (ICAR) were also present during the occasion.
The Institute was conferred with the award for its commendable scientific contributions made in the fields of fish harvesting, processing, packaging, quality assurance, nutraceutical, fish waste utilization, biotechnological applications, etc.
This is the third time that the Institute was honoured with the coveted award after the Years - 2000 and 2006 for its excellent track record in R&D endeavours and extension activities in the harvest and post-harvest fisheries.
The ICAR-CIFT received the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) Accreditation (ISO 17025) in the Year - 2005 and ISO 9001:2008 Certification in 2013. Its recognition as a National Referral Laboratory as well as National Reference Laboratory for fish and fish based products by FSSAI under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India has added a feather to its cap.
The significant achievements of the Institute have been contributed to the overall development of the fisheries industry in India, including marine, inland capture and seafood processing sectors with the successful dissemination of need-based technology through skill based trainings and demonstrations.
The Institute has been engaged in the development of value-added products (including ready-to-cook and eat products), by-products (including high-value ones) from fish and shellfish and the appropriate packaging for the same.
