In continuation to its series of aquaculture consultative meetings, Alltech Pakistan in association with University of Education-Lahore, Nutritionist Association Pakistan (NAP) and University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) conducted a virtual Aqua Hatchery Consultative Meeting on Saturday, April 17, 2021.
The meeting was arranged to bring to debate the challenges of Fish Hatcheries, Larval feeding protocols, Quality breeding techniques and Availability of good Quality Seed.
This consultative meeting was presided by Prof. Dr. Talat Naseer Pasha (S.I) Vice Chancellor, University of Education-Lahore and Dr. Shahzad Naveed Jadoon, Director /CEO, Alltech Pakistan did moderation of the session.
A diverse group of participant joined the meeting, shared their views and suggestions regarding the agenda points.
Dr. Shahzad Naveed Jadoon concluded the meeting with recap of key recommendations, which are as follow:
- Establishment of Science based industry- Aquaculture industry should work on result oriented activities and build the foundation of this sector on purely science basis. It should also establish linkages with the peripheral regions to learn from their experiences.
- Aquaculture Farmers Association and Aqua Umbrella Programs should be prioritized. As the industry is developing, there is a dire need of the representative group that can work on larger scale and cover the benefits of all the segments.
- Innovation and Diversification should be encouraged. The focus should primarily be on controlled hatchery systems, improved advanced breeding practices, larval and specie specific feeding, phase feeding, new species and aquaculture systems.
- Certification and Monitoring system should be in place and systematic. Local hatcheries as well as seed should be certified. Moreover, it should carry a yearly renewal policy.
- Development of Regulatory framework for import of inputs- Proper import procedure should be defined and developed by the Government to facilitate the farmers. Moreover, the Government should provide subsidy on such imports.
- Larvae feeding program-there is need to establish trials on balanced feed, digestibility, texture and palatability at hatcheries.
- Provision of strong and pure-line pedigree- the Government should develop and provide pure-line seed to the local hatcheries.
- Hatchery Epicenters and Research Hub– Hatcheries serve as point of farmer’s connectivity. These can be upgraded as epicenter for disseminating the useful information among farmers. Furthermore, hatcheries can be effectively used as Research hub and through collaborative research, bigger goals can be achieved.
- Consultative guide for maintenance of seed should be made for the basic understanding and handling of seed at farm level.
- Utilization of Govt. Facilities for collaborative research- Government hatchery facilities should be made available for the farmers and collaborative research should be encouraged at these sites regionally.
- Brood-stock Development Programs should be launched by the Government for the local farmers.
- Review and Revision of objectives and trainings programs – It is of great importance to review and revise the objectives and training programs as per industry and market needs.
- Farmer Awareness and Training- Local farmers should be trained on the modern lines and should be maximum facilitated in this regard.
- Communicate, Collaborate, Share and learning from each other, is a way forward.
