ICAR-CIBA formed a strategic alliance with Ms. QE Healthcare, Ahmedabad on 23rd January, 2024 for consultancy services on establishing Asian Seabass Cage farming in the coastal Saurashtra region of Gujarat. The MoU was signed at Navsari-Gujarat Research Centre (NGRC) of ICAR-CIBA in presence of Dr. Kuldeep K. Lal Director, CIBA, Chennai who attended on Virtual mode.
Dr. Kuldeep. K. Lal, Director ICAR-CIBA highlighted the strength of CIBA with technologies for improved cage farming techniques, production, and providing technical guidance to stakeholders. He expressed the possibility of collaboration in the areas of training on seabass seed production, larval rearing and cage farming in open sea and creeks to effectively utilize the waterbodies for fish production, employment and income for the coastal fisher families in an responsible and environmentally friendly seabass cage farming in coastal areas.
Mr.Bhavinbhai QE Healthcare, Ahmedabad highlighted the importance of this partnership and expressed that this will be a successful initiative program to attain the goals of promoting responsible and environmentally friendly seabass cage farming in the open sea and brackishwater creeks of Saurashtra region of Gujarat. He expressed that cage farming of candidate brackishwater finfishes is a suitable venture as an additional livelihood activity for coastal fishermen communities. The company is looking forward for collaboration with CIBA for undertaking finfish seed production and nursery rearing in pond. Shri. Pankaj A. Patil, Scientist, NGRC and team leader of the collaboration briefed the need for thrust on brackishwater cage farming and species diversification.
The event was organized by the Institute Technology Management Unit (ITMU) of ICAR- CIBA. DR. A. Panigrahi, Scientist-in-Charge, NGRC-CIBA along with Dr. P. Dash, Scientist and Shri Jose Antony Scientist NGRC-CIBA, Navsari participated in the event. Dr. P. K. Patil, OIC ITMU-CIBA welcomed the gathering and delivered the vote of thanks.
