ICAR-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (ICAR-CIBA), under the Scheduled Tribe Component (STC) initiated a programme on “mud crab farming in tide-fed ponds” as an alternative livelihood option for Irular tribal groups in the tide-fed ponds of Kulathumedu village in Tiruvallur district, Tamil Nadu. These Irular families are traditionally crab, shrimp and clam collectors and fishers. ICAR-CIBA has initiated this programme on 3rd September 2022, among 20 coastal Irular tribal families as a group-based activity under ‘Velu Nachiyar Irular Tribal Women Group’ to demonstrate crab farming in tide-fed ponds integrated with agro-based technologies like poultry and terrace gardening. Practical demonstration on crab stocking, feeding and handling of produce was carried out by women self-help groups trained earlier to the new beneficiaries. About 60 people including the village panchayat president and representatives, Tribal and SC community beneficiaries participated in this programme. Dr. B. Shanthi, Principal Scientist and team leader, Mr. Navin Kumar Jha, Chief Administrative Officer and Dr. S. Sivagnanam, Chief Technical Officer of the institute coordinated the event. This programme was well covered in local TV channels and newspapers.
