ICAR-CIBA conducted five days hands on training on “Improved Technologies for Breeding, Seed Production and Farming of Candidate Brackishwater Finfishes” during 9th -13th September, 2024. A total of 12 participants representing progressive farmers, aquaculture consultants, entrepreneurs, academicians, Govt. officials and students from Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Goa, Andaman and Lakshadweep Islands attended the training. The training module consisted of both theory and practical sessions on brackishwater finfish broodstock development, induced breeding, larval rearing, live feed production, nursery rearing, grow out culture, health and feed managments in different farming systems.
The training programme was inaugurated on 9th September 2024 by Dr. Kuldeep K Lal, Director, ICAR-CIBA, Chennai. During his speech, he briefed the importance of species diversification in brackishwater aquaculture and the potential of finfish farming to augment fish production in the country. Further, He stressed upon the necessity to implement a hand-holding approach by the research institutions, industries, and state departments to upscale the technology on seed production and farming of candidate finfish species such as Asian seabass, milkfish, pearlspot etc., to enhance the farm productivity and sustainability. While welcoming the participants, Dr. M. Kailasam, Principal Scientist & Head, Finfish Culture Division stated that candidate brackishwater finfish species are euryhaline in nature, has high value market and suitable for farming in the brackishwater cages, pens and ponds with formulated feed. A field visit was arranged for the trainees to get a field level exposure of ongoing seabass nursery and low volume cage culture site at Kottaikkadu village, Chengalpattu district, Tamil Nadu and wherein they interacted with the Women Self Help groups about the activities. The training concluded with a valedictory session on 13th September, 2024 and certificates were distributed to the participants.
