ICAR –CIBA established its first aquaculture research center on the west coast of India at Navsari Agricultural University campus, Navsari Gujarat. The Navsari Gujarat research center of CIBA was established on 7th June 2018 in Navsari district of Gujarat. The main objective of the center is to carry out sustainable brackishwater aquaculture development activities along the west coast of India. CIBA has expertise in quality seed production, feed technology, and aquatic animal health. This extends the technological support to the aqua farmers in the region. The Gujarat state has got enormous brackishwater resources spread across the 1600 km coastline, with the help of NGRC of CIBA can make significant progress in the fish production through brackishwater aquaculture and contribute for the state to double the income of farmers through progressive brackishwater aquaculture development activities.
ICAR-CIBA, Chennai and the Department of Fisheries, Gujarat have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the sustainable development of brackishwater aquaculture in Gujarat, under which NGRC of CIBA has got its 10 ha brackishwater aquaculture development and training farm at Matwad village of Navsari, Gujarat. Through this MoU, CIBA initiated farming in partnership with the Department of Fisheries at Matwad Village. This partnership aid in utilizing the untapped potential for aquaculture by developing appropriate brackishwater aquaculture production systems and location specific farming practices suitable for the state. NGRC of CIBA is engaged in research and training and demonstration of brackishwater aquaculture of finishes (Asian Seabass, Milkfish, Red Snapper, Grey Mullet, etc.) and shellfishes (Shrimps, Crabs, etc.) to aquafarmers including tribals and SC farmers for the upliftment of their livelihoods. Successfully demonstrated hapabased nursery rearing of brackishwater finfishes Asian seabass, Milkfish and pearlspot in high saline water to tribals of Matwad village at NGRC-CIBA farm, Matwad, Navsari. Apart from farm, NGRC – CIBA has established a laboratory for research and testing soil and water quality samples of ponds of aquafarmers.
Research Highlights of the Centre
Broodstock development and captive breeding trail of Grey mullet in pond at NGRC-BARD Farm, Navsari
Developed and segregated 1,000 nos of grey mullet fishes (400-600 g) from grow out culture pond and restocked in broodstock pond (3000 sq.m) for broodstock development. In December, 2021 carried sampling and dissected 10 fishes (300-600 g). In dissected female fishes, found ovaries in maturing stage and no oozing milt found in male fishes. The stocked grey mullets are fed with 40% crude protein pellet feed twice a day. Study on grey mullet reproductive biology, maturity status, induced breeding, spawning and seed production will be carried out at NGRC, Navsari in year 2022-2023.
Segregated adults Sampled fishes Maturing gonads
Polyculture of SPF Penaeus monodon and milkfish in brackishwater pond
Field trial was carried out to evaluate the polyculture of milkfish and SPF Penaeus monodon in an earthen pond (1,000 m2) with SPF P monodon PL (5/m2) and milkfish (0.5/m2) at CIBA- NGRC, Gujarat. The culture was practised for 100 days to produce 110 kg of P. monodon (26.60 ± 0.69 g) and 103 kg milkfish (237 ± 30.4 g), with attaining productivity of 2.1 tonne/ha. Sale of farm produced milkfish and P. monodon, generated ₹54,200 as revenue.
Harvested P monodon and milkfish from polyculture pond
- Nursery and grow-out culture of rabbit fish S vermiculatus in brackishwater pond and cages: Experiment was carried out to optimize stocking density of vermiculated spinefoot in hapa based nursery rearing system. Results revealed that stocking 250 nos/ m3 i.e. 500 nos/hapa (2×1×1 m) found ideal for nursery rearing of S vermiculatus. S vermiculatus fry (2.5 ± 0.22 cm and 0.64±0.16 g) attained fingerling size TL 6.6 ± 0.26 cm & mean bodyweight 6.5 ± 0.59 g in 60 days in hapa based system with 88% survival rate.
S vermiculatus fingerling at the end of 60 days of nursery rearing
- A 150 days experiment was carried out to evaluate growth performance of maze rabbitfish Siganus vermiculatus in brackishwater pond system and cage installed in brackishwater pond.the results revealed that the highest mean total length (28 ± 1.21 cm) and body weight (75 ± 9.02 g), SGR (2.31 ± 0.02% day-1) was observed in S. vermiculatus reared in pond system as compared to cages.
Pond reared vermiculated spinefoot
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For further details please contact
The Officer-in-Charge
Navsari Gujarat Research Centre
ICAR-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture
(Indian Council of Agricultural Research)
1st Floor, Animal Husbandry Polytechnic Building
Navsari Agricultural University Campus,
Eru Char Rasta, Dandi Road,
Navsari – 396 450
Gujarat
Phone: 02637-283509