Union Minister Launches “Rangeen Machhli” Mobile App to Boost Ornamental Fisheries Sector

Bhubaneswar: In a significant move to support the ornamental fisheries sector, Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh, today launched the “Rangeen Machhli” mobile app at the ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (ICAR-CIFA) in Bhubaneswar. The app, developed by ICAR-CIFA with the backing of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), is set to transform how hobbyists, aquarium shop owners, and fish farmers access information and resources in the ornamental fisheries domain.

The launch event was attended by George Kurian, Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, along with other senior officials from the Ministry and ICAR-CIFA.

In his address, Rajiv Ranjan Singh underscored the growing significance of the ornamental fisheries sector, noting its potential to generate employment and contribute substantially to the economy. He emphasized the Ministry’s commitment to advancing this sector and highlighted the need to promote aquarium hobbies more extensively across the country.

The “Rangeen Machhli” app aims to cater to the increasing demand for ornamental fish information by providing multilingual content in eight Indian languages. The app offers a wealth of resources for users ranging from hobbyists seeking guidance on fish care to farmers interested in diversifying their fish breeds. Key features of the app include:

• Multilingual Information: Comprehensive details on popular ornamental fish species are available in eight Indian languages, making the app accessible to a broad audience.
• Find Aquarium Shops: A dynamic directory feature allows users to locate nearby aquarium shops. This tool is updated by shop owners, helping users connect with reliable sources for ornamental fish and aquarium-related products.
• Educational Modules: The app includes two main modules:
  • Basics of Aquarium Care: Covers essential topics such as types of aquariums, fish species, water filtration, lighting, feeding, and daily maintenance.
  • Ornamental Aquaculture: Focuses on the breeding and rearing of various ornamental fish.