ICAR-CIBA organised “harvest mela cum workshop on biofloc based grow-out farming of shrimp for ecobased aquaculture at Muttukadu Experimental Station of ICAR-CIBA, Muttukadu, Tamil Nadu on 27.09.2022 under the SCSP scheme. About 25 farm families along with 5 beneficiary families were participated to witness the harvest under the SCSP schemes. The programme commenced with the welcome address by Dr. Akshaya Panigrahi, Principle Scientist & Program coordinator of the biofloc based farming model. The scientist briefed the gathering about the principles behind the sustainable biofloc based grow- out farming system. The harvest mela cum workshop was inaugurated by Dr. Joykrushna Jena, Deputy Director General (Fisheries Science), ICAR, New Delhi. The DDG emphasized the importance of developing innovative, sustainable and farmer-friendly technologies to usher the blue economy of our country. Dr. K.P. Jithendran, Director, welcomed the DDG and explained the various farmers friendly technologies, programs being demonstrated and organized by the institute for the benefit of the SC communities under the schemes. Dr. M. Jayanthi, Principle Scientist & Scientist In-charge, Crustacean Culture Division outlined the various farmers-friendly technologies developed by the institute for the welfare of the shrimp farming community. Biofloc nursery reared Penaeus vannamei (0.7-1 g) from the nursery units at Kovalam Experimental Station of the institute were stocked at 40 numbers per sq.m in grow-out ponds at Muttukadu. At the end of 3 month grow-out culture P. vannamei attained an average body weight of 25 g with a productivity of up to 8 ton per ha. The 40 count harvested shrimps were sold @ Rs. 350 per kg. The beneficiary families expressed their sincere thanks to DDG and ICAR-CIBA family for the technical support during the farming trial. The program ended with vote of thanks proposed by Dr. T. Bhuvaneswari, Nodal Officer, SCSP Scheme.
