A five-days training on Recent Advances in Brackishwater Aquaculture Technologies was conducted by ICAR-CIBA for the fish farmers of Ramanathapuram District, Tamil Nadu, from September 4th to 8th, 2023. The training was organized in response to a request from the Department of Fisheries, Tamil Nadu, with funding support from the Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA) scheme, aiming to strengthen the linkages between key government departments, research organizations, and stakeholders. A total of 20 farmers participated in the training
The training module encompassed both theoretical and practical sessions covering topics such as brackishwater finfish and shellfish broodstock development, induced breeding, spawning, larval rearing, live feed production, nursery rearing, grow-out culture, health management, feed development, feeding strategies, finfish farming for livelihood support, seaweed farming and soil and water quality management.
The training commenced on the morning of September 4th 2023 with a formal inaugural function at the Muttukadu experimental station of ICAR-CIBA. Dr. Kuldeep Kumar Lal, Director of CIBA, inaugurated the program and delivered the presidential address. In his speech, he provided insights into the latest developments in crucial areas of brackishwater aquaculture. He also urged farmers to make use of the technologies available at CIBA to diversify the species and farming systems and thereby to enhance productivity.
Dr. M. Kailasam, Principal Scientist & Head of the Finfish Culture Division, welcomed the participants and emphasized that brackishwater finfish species are euryhaline in nature and highly suitable for farming in brackishwater cages and ponds. Dr. T. Senthil Murugan, Principal Scientist provided background information about the training program. Shri.E.Karthikeyan, Inspector of Fisheries, DoF, Govt. of Tamil Nadu expressed that skill development training on brackishwater aquaculture would help the farmers to adopt the scientific farming practices.
The training program included field visits, allowing trainees to gain first-hand experience of ongoing seabass nursery and cage culture activities in Kottaikkadu village, Chengalpattu district, Tamil Nadu. Additionally, an inter-state field visit was arranged to Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, where trainees interacted with Women Self Help groups and farmers to learn about finfish and shellfish hatchery and farming activities.
The training concluded with a valedictory session on September 8th 2023, receiving positive feedback from the participants, and certificates were distributed to all attendees.
