ICAR-CIBA conducted an interface meeting on 24th July 2019 as part of a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project on “Knowledge and Economic Empowerment of women, tribal and their families in coastal villages of Tamil Nadu through adoption of brackishwater aquaculture and allied technologies integrated with societal development programmes” funded by Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited (CPCL) a Group company of Indian Oil Corporation. About 30 tribal fishers from the coastal villages of Tiruvallur and Kanchipuram districts participated and interacted with subject matter scientists of CIBA and progressive aqua-farmer. Dr.K.K.Vijayan, Director, CIBA inaugurated the interaction and expressed that CIBA along with CPCL is striving for improving the livelihood opportunities of the resource poor tribal fishers through brackishwater aquaculture technologies and allied enterprises. He further stated that tribal communities need to be facilitated by concerned departments for the continued adoption of technological practices for getting sustainable income. Shri.Kaushikbhar, Senior Manager, CPCL Chennai in his address assured that considering the tribal fishers involvement his organization could support them further for enhancing their standard of living. Shri Eraniyappan, a progressive aqua-farmer, emphasized the adoption of scientific farming technologies in shellfish, finfishes and crabs irrespective of their categories. He handled a detailed technical session on scientific mud crab farming in brackishwaters. Dr. C.V.Sairam, Principal Scientist & Scientist-in-Charge, Social Sciences Division, Dr B Shanthi, Principal Scientist and Principal Investigator of the Project, Dr.C.P.Balasubramanian, Principal Scientist &HOD-in-Charge, Crustacean Culture Division, Dr.M.Kailasam, Principal Scientist & HOD-in-Charge, Finfish Culture Division, Dr.K.Ambasankar, Principal Scientist & Scientist-in-Charge Nutrition Section and Shri.T.Sivaramakrishnan, Scientist and Co-PI were the subject matter scientists conducted the interface discussions and chalked out the technical work plan for the year 2019-20. The meeting was coordinated by Dr B Shanthi Principal Scientist and Principal Investigator of the Project along with Dr. C.V.Sairam, Head i/c, Social Sciences Division, CIBA.
