AQUA-CENTRE --- Gradual shifting of food habits of people from - TopicsExpress

AQUA-CENTRE --- Gradual shifting of food habits of people from red meat to white meat and then to seafood due to its health benefits has gradually increased the demand for aquatic products. A rapidly increasing population of the middle class in Asia and worldwide has further accelerated the search for more seafood. There are also a number of other factors accelerating the demand at faster pace. For example, awareness about human health benefits of fish (e.g. Omega-3) or seafood over red meat or the meat with full of fats is spreading so rapidly along with the advancement in the information technology. Annual farmed fish production has already overtaken the beef, and now reaching close to broiler chicken (84 million tons), then will compete with pork (110 million mt), which is unhealthy but consumed so much in many countries including in Europe. EU has a quite high-level of per capita pork consumption i.e. 95.2 kg/year as compared to beef (36.6 kg), and chicken (39.2 kg). World annual per capita meat consumption stands at 46.5 kg, whereas per capita fish availability is only 19.2 kg. To reach to the level of meat will require doubling of fish production. Therefore, still there is a long marathon race for aquaculture and aquaculturists! Considering the need and the potential scope of aquaculture, I have established a centre called AQUA-CENTRE at AIT which is the short form of Centre for Aquaculture Development. The word “Development” in the name of the centre refers to both the approaches: developing aquaculture technologies and deployment/transfer, extension of aquaculture to rural communities for their food security as well as commercial aquaculture for income and earning of foreign currencies. The Centre has the following goal, mission and the vision: Goal To contribute towards sustainable development of aquaculture by helping to produce more fish to achieve food and nutritional security, and economic prosperity through generating better income and profitability. Mission The Centre aims to develop highly skilled human resource required for designing and dissemination of practical and innovative technologies for the continuous growth of sustainable aquaculture. Vision Aqua-Centre will become a lead centre of excellence in providing services to aquaculture industry, both at small as well as large commercial scales, in Asia and globally within the next five years. I look forward to receiving your supports. Pls share this news among your friends and network. Thank you. Ram C. Bhujel, PhD Director, Aqua-Centre, AIT Contact: [email protected] Tel: +66-81-7346934