ICAR–Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (CIBA), Chennai and its regional centres at Kakdwip, West Bengal and Navsari, Gujarat have organized an interaction meeting with brackishwater aquaculture farmers at its Muttukkadu Experimental Station (MES), Chennai on 11th August 2024 during the occasion of dedication of 109 bio-fortified and climate resilient crops varieties developed by the ICAR to the country by Shri. Narendra Modi, Hon’ble Prime Minister of India at the Research Farm of ICAR- IARI, Pusa, New Delhi. About 154 brackishwater aquaculture fish farmers from our adopted villages participated in the meeting. The brackishwater fish farmers interacted with the scientists and expressed their gratitude to CIBA in extending technical support to them to undertake brackishwater aquaculture to improve their livelihood. Subsequently, the fish farmers visited the ICAR- CIBA research facilities to understand the feed preparation techniques, mud crab hatchery, shrimp seed production, finfish hatcheries and nursery rearing units. Farmers interacted with the scientists and technical staff about various technologies of ICAR- CIBA to diversify the brackishwater aquaculture. The participants have shown keen interest to upscale their seabass nursery rearing and cage farming activities. Further, the farmers expressed their interest to take up mud crab culture in the backwaters adjacent to their villages and requested the help from ICAR- CIBA.
Dr. Deboral Vimala, Principal Scientist, Social Science Division delivered the welcome address and narrated the ICAR’s initiatives in bringing climate resilient varieties for farming. Dr. C.P. Balasubrmanian, Head, Crustacean culture division presided over the function and explained the prospects of brackishwater aquaculture with special emphasis on mud crab farming. Dr. K. Ambasanakar, Head, Nutrition, Genetics and Biotechnology division narrated about the importance of developing climate resilient varieties for sustainable food production and the role of balanced nutrients in brackishwater aquaculture. Dr. M. Kailasam, Head, Fish Culture division highlighted the benefits of brackishwater finfish farming for improving the livelihood of rural fishers. Dr. P. Mahalakshmi, Principal Scientist and Coordinator of SCSP and TSP programmes explained about the government initiatives to improve the income generating avenues of the rural communities. Dr.S.Kannappan, Principal Scientist, NGBD and Scientist in Charge, MES explained about the research activities taken up in the experimental station. At Chennai, Dr. R. Jayakumar, Principal Scientist, FCD, Dr. R. Geetha, Senior Scientist, SSD Dr. Aritra Bera, Scientist, FCD, Dr. T. Sivaramakrishnan, Scientist, NGBD and Dr. R. Subburaj, ACTO have coordinated the interaction meeting with the farmers.
On this occasion, CIBA technologies and report fish disease App were demonstrated among the stakeholders at the regional centres at Kakdwip, West Bengal and Navsari, Gujarat. The scientists and staff in the regional stations coordinated the programme respectively.
