ICAR-CIBA, Chennai conducted five days hands on training on “Shrimp and mud crab aquaculture: A practical exposure” from 21st to 25th May 2022 to sensitize the farmers and new entrant farmers on the recent advances in shrimp and crab aquaculture that might enhance their skill-sets to adopt sustainable practices and achieving higher productions. Nineteen trainees representing various states participated in the training programme.
Dr. K. P Jithendran, Director, ICAR-CIBA, inaugurated the training programme and briefed about the importance of off-line trainings and practical exposure to update the recent developments in the sector. He advised the beginners to understand the basics as well as the pitfalls in the sector. Dr.M.Jayanthi, Principal Scientist & Scientist-in-Charge, Crustacean Culture Division (CCD) in her remarks pointed that CIBA had conducted several trainings in the field of shrimp and mud crab culture over the past and outlined the topics, which will be covered during the training classes.
The shrimp farming sessions covered in detail the basics of shrimp aquaculture, pre stocking and post stocking management, feeding, water quality management, etc. The crab farming sessions dealt with the basics, molting, crab fattening, crab farming, box and vertical crab farming systems, crab grading, etc. The theory part included a special lecture on the CAA regulations in the shrimp farming sector delivered by Dr. V. Kripa, Member Secretary, CAA, Chennai. The training programme also included a field trip to shrimp farming and crab box-farming sites at Paiyanur and Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu. During the field trip, the trainees also visited a crab export facility and vertical crab farming site at AQAI CRABS, Sadras, Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu.
During the valedictory session on 25-05-22, the trainees shared their experiences about the training programme and certificates were distributed to the participants.