COFFFED, ICAR Patna Sign Landmark MoU to Boost Fisheries and Makhana Development

By A Correspondent
Patna: The Bihar State Fishermen’s Cooperative Federation (COFFFED) and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Patna, have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen research, innovation, technical collaboration, training, and the overall development of the fisheries and makhana sectors in Bihar.

The MoU was signed by ICAR Director Dr Anoop Das and COFFFED Managing Director Hrishikesh Kashyap.

The occasion also marked the 298th Board Meeting of COFFFED, held at the ICAR campus in Patna. The programme was attended by senior scientist Dr Vivekanand Bharti, principal scientist Dr Shankar Dayal, COFFFED Director Simran, Makhana Export Manager Ravi Raj, along with several scientists, officials and board members. During the meeting, Hrishikesh Kashyap presented a gift of makhana to Dr Anoop Das on behalf of COFFFED and also handed over promotional material highlighting makhana and its various value-added products.

Under the agreement, the two organisations will jointly work on integrated fish farming, pearl cultivation, shrimp farming, biofloc technology, azolla production, crab and shellfish farming, ornamental fisheries, backyard hatcheries, conservation of Bihar’s state fish Mangur, promotion of improved fish species, integrated makhana-cum-fish farming, water chestnut-cum-fish farming, fish processing and by-products, production of organic manure from fish waste, water and soil testing, wetland development, cage culture, training for farmers and fishermen, research, technology transfer and the effective implementation of various government schemes.

The partnership will also facilitate fish processing, value addition and skill development programmes in collaboration with national institutions, including the Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT), Kochi. Joint efforts will also be made to maximise benefits for fishermen and fish farmers through schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samriddhi Yojana, the Fisheries Infrastructure Development Fund and the National Cooperative Development Corporation.

Welcoming the guests, COFFFED Managing Director Hrishikesh Kashyap said the federation had been working continuously for the welfare of Bihar’s fishermen since India’s Independence. He said the organisation had significantly improved the living standards of poor fishing communities and remained committed to that mission. He also highlighted that COFFFED had insured makhana cultivation through an SBI insurance company, calling it a successful model for the country. He added that COFFFED had been designated as the nodal agency for Common Service Centres (CSCs) and was playing a key role in promoting digital services. More than 150 CSCs have already been established in fishermen’s cooperative societies across the state.

ICAR Director Dr Anoop Das said the partnership would provide fishermen and fish farmers in Bihar with modern technologies, research support, training and innovation, ensuring the sustainable growth of the fisheries and makhana sectors.

COFFFED, ICAR Patna Sign Landmark MoU to Boost Fisheries and Makhana Development in Patna on June 30, 2026. Phto: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

Pankaj Kumar Kamal, Deputy Secretary of Bihar’s Disaster Management Department, said the fishing community played an important role in both the state’s economy and disaster management system. He described the MoU as a significant step towards making fishermen more resilient and self-reliant through scientific research, modern technology and institutional collaboration. He expressed confidence that improved training, technical guidance and effective implementation of government schemes would strengthen livelihoods and further boost the rural economy.

Dr Rajendra Kumar, Joint Secretary of Bihar’s Agriculture Department, said agriculture, fisheries and makhana cultivation complemented one another and that their integrated development could substantially increase the incomes of farmers and fishermen. He said the agreement between COFFFED and ICAR would prove to be a milestone in taking scientific research, innovation, training, value addition and modern technologies to villages across the state. He expressed hope that the partnership would promote integrated fish farming, makhana production and processing, organic products, export growth and new employment opportunities for young people, while helping Bihar establish a stronger national identity in agriculture and fisheries. He congratulated the teams of ICAR and COFFFED on the initiative.

Chief guest and former minister Hari Sahni said the MoU would prove to be a milestone for Bihar’s fisheries and makhana sectors. He said that collaboration between scientific institutions and the cooperative sector would enhance the incomes of millions of fishermen and fish farmers, generate employment, promote value addition and exports, and give fresh momentum to the rural economy. He also praised COFFFED’s continued efforts towards the development of the state’s fishing community.

The board meeting was chaired by COFFFED Chairman Prayag Sahni. Among those present were ICAR Senior Scientist Dr Vivekanand Bharti, Bihar Agriculture Project Director Anurodh Giri, Operations Head Uday Bhanu, COFFFED directors Shivnandan Prasad, Arun Sahni, Pradeep Kumar Sahni, Lalo Sahni, Inder Mukhiya, Kapildev Sahni, Niranjan Kumar Singh, Naresh Prasad Sahni, Ashok Kumar Choudhary, Sanidhya Raj, Abhilash Kumar, Rakesh Kumar, Madan Kumar, Lal Babu Singh, Lal Babu Sahni, Simran, and officials Ravi Raj and Rahul Kumar.