ICAR-CIBA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Rameswaram Sigaram Fish Farmer Producer Organisation (RSFFPO), Rameswaram, Ramanathapuram, one of the aspirational district of Tamil Nadu, on 10th September 2024 for marketing of CIBA-Plankton Plus and CIBA-Hortiplus. Both are the value added products developed from fish waste using a unique technology. CIBA-Plankton Plus is a micro and macro nutrient rich hydrolysate which enhances the natural productivity in the aquaculture systems. ICAR-CIBA has successfully tested and demonstrated the product in farmers ponds in many costal states of India including Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Odisha, Gujarat and West Bengal. CIBA-Plankton Plus also has immense potential in enhancing agriculture production, especially paddy. ICAR-CIBA through joint research collaboration with Shri A.M.M. Murugappa Chettiar Research Centre (MCRC), Chennai standardized the application of PlanktonPlus in paddy cultivation by multi location trials in Tiruvallur and Chengalpattu districts, Tamil Nadu. CIBA-HortiPlus is used to enhance the production of agriculture and horticulture crops.
The Rameswaram Sigaram Fish Farmer Producer Organisation used PlanktonPlus and Horti Plus products produced from the CIBA-DBT project entitled “Establishment of DBT Rural Bio-resource Complex at Ramanathapuram District, Tamil Nadu” in aquaculture and agriculture crops in Ramanathapuram. Based on the promising results they have decided to take up the marketing of CIBA-Plankton Plus and CIBA-Horti Plus.
Dr. Kuldeep K. Lal, Director, ICAR-CIBA while signing the MoU emphasized that technology needs to be promoted across the country since it helps to promote waste free coastal fish market and uplift the livelihood status of fisher folk. He emphasized the importance of organic paddy cultivation using products like PlanktonPlus to reduce dependency on chemical fertilizers and pesticides, along with a notable absence of pest infestations in paddy.
Dr. Debasis De, Head of Research Centre, Kakdwip Research Centre of CIBA, Kakdwip, briefly explained the importance of this technology and also collaborative research work in agriculture along with MCRC and Krishi Vigyan Kendra. Dr.P.Mahalakshmi, Principal Scientist, CIBA, highlighted the training cum demonstration programmes on recycling of fish waste to value added products conducted at different coastal villages, Ramanathapuram district in collaboration with Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, for empowering and uplifting the lives of coastal communities and enhancing productivity in aquaculture and agriculture. She also explained the protocol for applying PlanktonPlus in paddy and other horticultural crops, such as lady’s finger, brinjal, potato, and cauliflower.
Mr.Tamil Selavaraja, CEO, RSFFPO, Ramanathapuram district, Tamil Nadu, shared his experience on the benefit the farmers availed using the CIBA-Plankton Plus and CIBA-Horti Plus especially in agriculture and horticulture crops. The farmers expressed their satisfaction and intention to continue using the products especially in agriculture. He expressed his gratitude to CIBA for empowering coastal communities including the members of RSFFPO through fish waste recycling technology. Shri.T. Kennit Raj, fish farmer and proprietor of V.S. Fish Waste Hydrolysate, Kasimedu Nammbikkai Fish Farmers Group, Pattinapakkam, Tamil Nadu shared their positive experiences using CIBA-Plankton Plus and CIBA-Horti Plus.
The event was organized by the Institute Technology Management Unit (ITMU), CIBA, and the heads of various divisions attended the meeting.
