ICAR–Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute, Old Goa, Goa is involved in fishermen Welfare projects under Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCSP) funded by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), from Govt. of India, to make a change in the livelihood of coastal farmers and fishermen of the country. In this regard, a five day capacity building cum training programme on Aquaculture was organised at Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies, Kochi by ICAR-CCARI, Old Goa during 4^th to 8^th November 2019.  Around 50 farmers participated in the programme and were benefitted with the knowledge on various aquaculture systems and their management. The training programme was co-ordinated by Dr. Sreekanth GB, Scientist (FRM), ICAR-CCARI and Dr. K. Dinesh, Associate Professor and Head of the Department, Department of Aquaculture, Faculty of Fisheries, KUFOS, Kerala. Dr. Dinesh welcomed all the dignitaries and participant farmers to the programme.  Prof. (Dr.) A Ramachandran, Vice Chancellor, KUFOS has inaugurated the function in presence dignitaries from KUFOS; Dr. Riji John, Dean Fisheries, Dr. B Manoj Kumar, Registrar, Dr. K Gopakumar, Professor of Eminence, Dr. TV Shankar, Director of Research, Dr. Daisy Kappen, Director of Extension and Mr. Joby George, Finance Officer. While inaugurating the function, The Hon. Vice Chancellor addressed the gathering and congratulated ICAR-CCARI for organizing such an important capacity-building programme for the benefit of the SC farmers. He also requested the participants to make use of the full-fledged training course, field visits and input materials provided to improve their farming operations and to generate better returns from the aquaculture activities. During the presidential address, Dr. Riji John, Dean Fisheries assured full support to ICAR-CCARI for research and developmental activities in the fisheries sector of Kerala. Dr. B Manojkumar, Registrar pointed out that it is important to strengthen the farmers with knowledge and hands-on training, since they are the backbone of the country, and they assure the food and nutritional security of the population. All other dignitaries, in their address wished a grand success for the 5 days training programme.  Dr. Sreekanth GB proposed the vote of thanks during the inaugural session.

During the first three days (4^th to 6 November 2019), the faculty from KUFOS carried out various sessions including hands-on training and practical classes. The detailed schedule is given below. The sessions covered different aspects of aquaculture such as finfish culture, ornamental fish culture, seed production, shrimp farming, feed preparation and management, cage culture, fish disease management, and aquaponics systems for fish and vegetable farming. In addition, field trips and hand-on trainings were arranged on at the institute farm facility and hatchery units. Moreover, an exclusive visit was arranged on7^th November 2019 to visit the aquaponics facility and aquaculture farms located at Ankamaly, Nedumbassery, and Aluva.  

On 8^th November, 2019, the input distribution programme was arranged for the SC farmers.

Inputs such as Fish seeds, fish feed, air pumps, aeration materials, Silpaulin sheets, and water test kits were distributed among the fish farmers (SC) fishermen from different parts of Kerala. Fifty-three farmers were benefitted with the inputs for the aquaculture activities. Dr. EB Chakurkar, Director, ICAR-CCARI was the Chief Guest for the distribution programme. During the address, he expressed heartfelt thanks to Prof (Dr.) A Ramachandran, Vice Chancellor, KUFOS and Dr. K Dinesh, Head, Dept. of Aquaculture for providing all the necessary arrangements for the training programme including the selection of beneficiaries, training course schedule and resource persons, field visits, arrangement of input materials based on the requirement of farmers and all the technical and administrative aids. He also assured that regular programmes on research and development would be planned in the field of fisheries for the benefit of coastal fishermen/farmers of Kerala and other coastal regions with the support from KUFOS. Hon. Vice Chancellor also applauded the efforts of Director and team of CCARI, Goa for organizing a focused training cum distribution programme for the benefit of SC farmers from Kerala. He guaranteed all the necessary provisions from KUFOS to ICAR-CCARI to cater the research and development activities in the fisheries sector. Dr. B Manoj Kumar, Registrar, KUFOS mentioned the programme as a landmark one for the collaboration between the institutes. He urged the participants to apply the knowledge and hands-on experience gained through the training in the field and a feedback assessment would be followed from KUFOS in this regard. Dr. K Dinesh, HoD, Dept. of Aquaculture has promised the farmers for any further help and support from KUFOS for their aquaculture operations in the field. Dr. Sreekanth GB, Scientist (FRM) proposed Vote of thanks towards the end of the function.