ICAR-CIBA in collaboration with West Bengal Accelerated Development of Minor Irrigation Project (WBADMIP) under Water Resource Investigation & Development Department (WRIDD), Govt. of West Bengal organized five days training programme on “Seed production, nursery rearing and farming of Asian Seabass (Lates calcarifer)” during 3rd –7th October, 2023 at Kakdwip Research Centre of ICAR-CIBA, Kakdwip for capacity building and promotion of seabass farming among the farmers of West Bengal. A total of 27 participants representing women SHG, farmers, entrepreneurs, and W.B. fisheries department officials attended the training. The training programme was inaugurated on 3rd October, 2023 by Dr. Kuldeep K. Lal, Director, CIBA in presence of Dr. M. Kailasam, Head Fish Culture Division and Dr. Debasis De, Head of Regional Centre, Kakdwip Research Centre. Dr. Kuldeep K. Lal, Director, CIBA highlighted the importance of seabass nursery rearing and farming from the perspective of West Bengal where this fish species is a state delicacy and provide good economic returns to farmers. He further stated that the hand hold approach by the state departments, R&D institutions and stakeholders would be the ideal strategy to implement the advanced technologies among the farmers. Dr. M. Kailasam briefed the seabass three tier seabass farming which can be a short duration revenue generation livelihood source for coastal fishers and women Self-help groups. Dr. Debasis De highlighted the R&D activities of Asian seabass and standardized technologies by Kakdwip Research Centre especially for the eastern region of India. The training module consisted of both theory and practical sessions on seabass reproductive physiology, captive broodstock development, induced breeding, Indoor and outdoor nursery rearing, three tier farming, grow out culture using farm made feed, live feed production, cost effective feed preparation, health management, soil and water analysis and its management during culture operations which were delivered by faculty of ICAR-CIBA, Chennai and Kakdwip Research Centre of ICAR-CIBA and ICAR-CIFE, Kolkata. Hands on practical classes were demonstrated on fish cannulation for gonadal maturity assessment, hormone pellet preparation, Implantation of hormone pellet, larval rearing, seabass grading, hapa preparation and fixing, mass culture of live feed etc. which was coordinated by Dr. Aritra Bera, Scientist, FCD, ICAR-CIBA, Chennai; Ms. Babita Mandal, Scientist, KRC of ICAR-CIBA, Kakdwip; Dr. R. Subburaj, ACTO, ICAR-CIBA, Chennai. A field visit was arranged at the State department farm at Henry’s Island, South 24 Parganas and crab fattening farm operated by a progressive farmer at Namkhana, W.B to provide field level exposure to the participants. The training concluded with a valedictory session on 7th October, 2023 with a feedback from the trainees and training certificates were distributed to the participants.
