Pune: The Central Institute of Fisheries Education (ICAR-CIFE) and the Vaikunth Mehta National Institute of Cooperative Management (VAMNICOM) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to transform cooperative management within India's fisheries sector.
The agreement, formalized on August 26, 2024, aims to strengthen the integration of advanced technology and promote value addition in fishery cooperatives across the country.
This collaboration aligns with the broader vision of establishing 200,000 Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), dairy, and fishery cooperatives in every panchayat, a key initiative to enhance livelihoods in rural India.
With fisheries providing employment to 14.46 million people, the partnership between ICAR-CIFE and VAMNICOM is poised to play a crucial role in improving cooperative management and fostering sustainable development in the sector.
The signing ceremony, held at the ICAR-CIFE campus in Mumbai, saw the participation of Dr. Ravishankar CN, Director and Vice-Chancellor of ICAR-CIFE, and Dr. Hema Yadav, Director of VAMNICOM, alongside scientists and faculty members from both institutions.
The MoU is expected to enhance research, training, and development efforts within the fisheries sector. Dr. Ravishankar CN highlighted the importance of this partnership, stating, "This collaboration is a significant step forward in advancing our shared goals.
It will not only bolster our research capabilities but also expand our reach in delivering impactful training programs, driving progress in cooperative management."
Echoing these sentiments, Dr. Hema Yadav emphasized the mutual benefits of the partnership, noting, "By joining forces with ICAR-CIFE, we are poised to integrate cooperative management principles more effectively into the fisheries sector.
This alliance will enable us to leverage each other's expertise and resources, fostering innovation and improving practices across the industry."
The strategic alliance marks the beginning of a concerted effort to achieve sustainable livelihood development and operational excellence in the fisheries sector through enhanced cooperative management.
Both institutions are committed to using their combined strengths to address key challenges and drive significant progress in this vital field.