ICAR-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (ICAR-CIBA), Chennai conducted a hands-on training programme on ‘Seed production and farming of brackishwater finfishes’ from 5th to 9th September, 2022. The training programme was inaugurated by Dr. K.P. Jithendran, Director, ICAR-CIBA, Chennai and briefed about the importance of species diversification and farming systems to attain sustainability in the aquaculture sector. Fifteen participants consisting farmers, entrepreneurs, State Fisheries Department Officials and aquaculture consultants attended the training. The training programme widely covered the subject matter topics on broodstock development, induced breeding, larval raring, live feed culture, nursery rearing, grow out culture systems, fish health management, fish nutrition and feed development of candidate finfish species such as seabass, milkfish, grey mullet and ornamental fishes. The trainees also visited the seabass nursery rearing and grow-out culture site at Kottaikkadu, Kanchipuram district, Tamil Nadu and interacted with the women self-help groups to get field level exposure. The trainees shared their satisfaction and experiences about the training programme. Certificates were distributed to the participants during the valedictory session on 9th September, 2022. In his valedictory address, Dr. K.P. Jithendran stated that handhold approach of private players, with state departments, and research institutions is need of the hour to augment seed production and expansion of finfish farming areas in the country. Dr. M. Kailasam, Principal Scientist & Scientist-in-Charge, Fish Culture Division briefed about CIBA’s initiatives to popularise the brackishwater finfish farming among the farmers. Dr. M. Makesh, Principal Scientist proposed the vote of thanks.
