The Navsari Gujarat Research Centre (NGRC) of ICAR-CIBA conducted a three-day training programme on “Brackishwater Aquaculture and Allied Technologies for Alternative Livelihoods for Tribal Farmers” from 26th to 28th June, 2019 at Matwad village, Navsari district, Gujarat as part of the Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) programme. The training was inaugurated by Dr. R. Borichangar, Associate Professor and Nodal officer, College of Fisheries (COF), Navsari Agriculture University (NAU) in the presence of Dr. (Mrs.) P. Mahalakshmi, Principal Scientist, ICAR-CIBA Dr. Naveen Patel, Research Scientist, Livestock production unit, NAU, Dr. H. Solanki, Assistant Professor, COF, NAU, Mrs. Neelamben Patel, Gram Sarpanch, Matwad and Mr. Pankaj A. Patil, Scientist and Officer in Charge, NGRC. Dr. (Mrs.). P. Mahalakshmi, Nodal officer TSP and NGRC of CIBA, highlighted the importance of brackishwater aquaculture technologies for livelihood enhancement of coastal tribal communities during her presidential address. Mr. Tanveer Hussain, Scientist, NGRC presented the overview of the three-day training programme during the inaugural session. CIBA extension booklets on Mud crab culture, Seabass nursery rearing and Indian white shrimp farming were released and distributed to the participants for enhancing their knowledge about the brackishwater aquaculture technologies. Tribal SHG comprising of 6 women and two men were also provided with livestock in the form of Surti goats for additional income generation through animal husbandry apart from brackishwater aquaculture.
The training programme consisted of interactive lectures in the forenoon session on mud crab polyculture, nursery rearing of seabass, milkfish culture, health issues in brackishwater aquaculture, value added product from fish and shrimp, benefits of CIBA-Planktonplus and basics of goat farming etc., followed by hands on training and exposure visit at Brackishwater Aquaculture Research and Demonstration farm (BARD) under ICAR-CIBA and Department of Fisheries, Govt. of Gujarat, at Matwad during the afternoon sessions on all three days. A total of 48 women and 28 men (76 participants) from tribal communities in Matwad village and adjacent villages attended the training cum exposure visit.
The valedictory function of the training programme was held at the BARD farm on 28th June, 2019. Mr. Jose Antony, Scientist, NGRC delivered the concluding remarks of the three-day training programme. The training programme ended on a positive note based on feedback obtained from the tribal farmers who also stressed on conducting more such programmes in future that shall encompass longer exposure visits, interaction with tribal communities in other states and the need for an exclusive training programme on shrimp farming. The training cum exposure visit was conducted by Mr. Pankaj Amrut Patil, Scientist & Officer-In-Charge, NGRC of CIBA, Mr. Tanveer Hussain. Scientist, NGRC of CIBA, Mr. Jose Antony, Scientist, NGRC of CIBA, Dr.P.Mahalakshmi, Nodal Officer, TSP of ICAR, CIBA, Chennai.
