Bhubaneswar (Odisha Tazanews) :- The ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (ICAR-CIFA), Bhubaneswar, hosted the Matsya Gyan Utsav 2025 on Thursday, drawing an enthusiastic crowd of nearly 1000 school students and 55 accompanying teachers from over 20 schools across Bhubaneswar, Puri, and nearby regions. The event was organized under ICAR-CIFA’s flagship science outreach and community engagement initiative,
with the objective of familiarizing school students with the world of freshwater aquaculture and its significance in ensuring food security, generating livelihoods, and promoting environmental sustainability. Hosted at the institute’s Kausalyaganga campus, the day- long programme offered a vibrant blend of exhibitions,
live demonstrations, and interactive science activities tailored for young learners. The initiative was held with the support of the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), Hyderabad. Students took part in the event in well-organized batches throughout the day, following a structured itinerary that featured a live fish harvest demonstration, screenings of aquaculture documentaries,
an extensive exhibition of fish species, a drone demonstration, and a variety of engaging learning activities. The exhibition included 25 aquariums highlighting the rich biodiversity of freshwater fish. In addition to the exhibitions, students participated in hands-on sessions led by ICAR-CIFA scientists, where they explored water quality testing, fish feed formulation, and fish health management.
These interactive activities provided them with the opportunity to work directly with scientific tools and gain practical insights into aquaculture practices. “Matsya Gyan Utsav is a meaningful initiative to ignite curiosity and connect young minds with the dynamic field of aquaculture,” said Dr. P.K. Sahoo, Director, ICAR-CIFA.
“We envision that experiences like these will not only deepen students’ understanding of science but also inspire them to pursue future careers in fisheries, biotechnology, and environmental sustainability.” The event concluded with positive feedback from students and teachers alike, many of whom appreciated the opportunity to interact directly with research professionals and explore the real-world applications of science beyond the classroom.
