Aqua-mimicry is an innovative technology that stimulates estuarine environment conditions in pond by developing the live feed blooms particularly copepods for rearing of shrimps. Copefloc based nursery provides significant growth and survival of shrimp post larvae (PL) and also offer compensatory growth during the grow-out phase.
Specific Pathogen Free Penaeus vannamei shrimp post larvae (PL 10) were reared in copefloc system at a stocking density of 2500 nos/m3 for 30 days as a nursery phase followed by 50 days grow-out phase in lined pond at Muttukadu Experimental Station of ICAR-CIBA. Copefloc was generated using three species of copepods inoculated on alternative days, reduced 20% of supplementary feed required during the nursery phase. A total biomass of 550 kg was harvested, which generated revenue of Rs.1.30 lakhs. This Copefloc based shrimp farming technology can give a productivity of 4-5 tons/ha.
A harvest cum filed day was organised on 29th April 2022 in which about 50 participants including scientific, technical, supporting staffs, project staff, casual labours and farmers participated in the programme. Dr. K.P. Jithendran, Director, ICAR-CIBA explained the benefit of copefloc technology and congratulated the team for their earnest effort to achieve the target. Dr. M. Jayanthi, SIC, CCD highlighted the importance of copefloc and detailed the future plan of action to disseminate technology to the farmers for wider adoption. Mr. R. Aravind, Scientist & Project coordinator SCSP briefed on the copefloc technology.
Dr. T. Bhuvaneswari, Nodal Officer, SCSP explained about facilities provided during shrimp culture under the SC and ST sub-plans for the livelihood support of the beneficiaries. Fisher families from Kovalam village were engaged for both nursery and grow-out farming.
Dr. K.P. Jithendran, Director, ICAR-CIBA distributed the revenue generated to beneficiaries. The harvest mela was attended by Dr. C.V. Sairam, SIC, SSD; Dr. S. Kannappan, OIC, KES; Dr. A. Panigrahi, PS, CCD; Mr. K.P. Sandeep, OIC, MES and Mr. I.F. Biju, Scientist, CCD. The program ended with vote of thanks proposal by Dr. P.S. Shyne Anand, Senior Scientist, CCD.
