ICAR-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (ICAR-CIBA) celebrated the World Soil Day in consort with the aqua farmers of Udupi and Uttara Kannada Districts, Karnataka under the guidance of Dr. K.P. Jithendran, Director, CIBA on 4th December 2021 at Kundapura, Udupi district, Karnataka. Dr. M. Muralidhar, Principal Scientist, Scientist-in-Charge, Environment Group & Principal Investigator, NICRA project narrated the importance of conserving the soil health and sensitised the farmers on soil and water quality issues of brackishwater farms in coastal Karnataka and BMPs for sustainable aquaculture. Mr. K. Ganesh, Joint Director of Fisheries, Udupi District, who inaugurated the farmer’s meet explained the potential of cage culture in coastal Karnataka, and outlined the scope for future collaborations of Fisheries Department with ICAR-CIBA in utilising the resources of Karnataka state for sustainable brackishwater aquaculture development. Dr. M. Ganapathi Naik, Professor and Head, Dept. of Aquaculture, College of Fisheries, Mangalore, Dr P.P. Suresh Babu, Senior Scientist & SIC, ICAR-CMFRI, Karwar, Dr. Vishnudas Gunaga, Assistant Director, MPEDA Sub Regional Division, Mangalore and Mr. Shrinivas H. Hulkoti, Scientist, KVK Brahmavara briefed the farmers about the roles played by their agencies in sustaining the ecosystem based aquaculture in Karnataka. During the meeting Soil and water health cards (SWHC) were issued to 148 farmers by the dignitaries. Mr. I.F. Biju and Mr. Tanveer Hussain, Scientists from CIBA highlighted the crustacean and finfish culture technologies, and Dr. Satheesha Avunje, Scientist, CIBA explained the current scenario of diseases in Penaeus vannamei shrimp farming. During the interaction, brackishwater farmers actively participated in the discussion and flagged their queries and sought answers on different aspects dealing with aquaculture such as diversification of species, changing climatic scenarios, finfish and shellfish farming systems, biofloc technology, water and soil quality management in brackishwater aquaculture. This event was organized under the National Innovations in Climate Resilient Aquaculture (NICRA) Project. Dr. Satheesha Avunje and Dr. A. Nagavel, Chief Technical Officer coordinated the event considering the COVID-19 guidelines issued by the Government.
