Navsari-Gujarat Research centre of ICAR-CIBA demonstrated farming of whiteleg shrimp P. vannamei as a livelihood option for SC communities in Navsari and Vejalpore in Matwad village in Gujarat during May to September, 2022 under the Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCSP). Based on their request, shrimp farming was taken up as an activity under the SCSP on Self-Help Group (SHG) concept comprising of 12 members. The SHG viz., Navsari Valmiki Samaj Matsya Udhyog SHG was formed in May 2022 and the members were given skill oriented training on cultural, disease management, nutritional, soil and water management aspects of shrimp farming. Under the shrimp farming activity 1.6 lakh P. vannamei PL was stocked in two ponds, each of one acre in size (stocking density: 20 nos/m2) during the month of June 2022. After 87 days during the months of August and September they were harvested realizing a production of 1993 kg with and average body weight of 16.6 g and survival rate of 75%. The SHG could generate an income of Rs. 5.97 lakhs with an average farm gate price of Rs. 300/kg and the revenue generated which was handover through cheque by Shri. Tanveer Hussain, Sub-Nodal officer, SCSP and Scientist, NGRC of ICAR-CIBA. On this occasion held on 6th October 2022 at NGRC Navsari, Shri. Tanveer Hussain thanked Dr. K.P. Jithendran, Director, ICAR-CIBA and Dr. T. Bhuvaneswari, Senior Scientist AAHED and Nodal Officer SCSP for their support and guidance in taking up this programme. Shri. Dharmeshbhai Ramchandra Rathod, representative of the SHG expressed his happiness on the successful completion of the shrimp farming activity and thanked NGRC team for their assistance in improving their livelihood through shrimp farming in brackishwater resources. The demonstration-cum-shrimp farming activity was undertaken Shri Mr. Jose Antony and Shri. Tanveer Hussain, Scientists, NGRC.
