ICAR-CIBA organized the 3rd shrimp farmers’ conclave with the support of the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), Govt. of India, Hyderabad at its Kakdwip Research Centre, Kakdwip, West Bengal. About 250 stakeholders comprised of shrimp farmers from coastal districts of West Bengal, scientists, fisheries officials, industry experts and officials from insurance companies to interact on the latest technology advancements, challenges, and opportunities in the sector. Dr. Kuldeep. K Lal, Director, ICAR-CIBA, Chennai, welcomed the gathering and highlighted the importance of shrimp farming sector with a contribution of 70% to the Indian seafood export. However, recent decline in the prices at international markets and increasing cost of production are the major issues faced by the shrimp farmers, he added. Dr.C.N.Ravishankar, Director & Vice-Chancellor, ICAR-CIFE, Mumbai,the Chief guest of the programme and Dr. P. Shankara Rao, Director, Coastal Aquaculture Authority, Chennai, the guest of honour inaugurated conclave and addressed the farmers. They emphasized that innovative strategies and efficient farming models are required to support the farmers for getting an assured income. KRC of ICAR-CIBA, Kakdwip was working in this line and developed a new series efficient shrimp feed, Chingudi Plus, which was released for wider circulation among the shrimp farmers of the state to improve farmer income and to reduce the cost of production during the event. Dr. Debasis De, Head, KRC of ICAR-CIBA, Kakdwip, West Bengal and team leader of the ChingudiPlus feed technology discussed the benefits and scope of using ChingudiPlus in shrimp culture sector. One Publication in Bengali language titled “Nonajaler machh chashe sampratik agragati: Matsya chashider janyo pusthika” was also released to make valuable knowledge accessible to a wider audience of shrimp farmers in West Bengal. The conclave featured an array of insightful presentations, panel discussions, farmer success stories, and interactive sessions, providing a valuable platform for knowledge sharing and collaboration and distribution of income earned by the beneficiaries of SCSP and TSP programmes.
During the conclave, ICAR-CIBA inked two MoUs respectively with M/s Sundeep packaging industries, for upscaling and mass production of ChingudiPlus feed and with West Bengal Accelerated Development of Minor Irrigation Project (WBADMIP), Water Resource Investigation & Development Department, Government of West Bengal for providing project based consultancy for brackishwater aquaculture development in the state of West Bengal.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Debasis De, Principal Scientist & Head of the Kakdwip Research Centre. The 3rd Shrimp Farmers’ Conclave – 2024 was conducted with the financial support of the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), Government of India, under the PMMSY scheme. During the event farmers had an opportunity to witness the harvest of the shrimp crop produced with ChingudiPlus feed.
