ICAR-CIBA conducted a customised training-cum-workshop on “Biofloc based high density nursery and grow-out farming of shrimp/fish for eco based aquaculture” for the SC/ST farmer groups from Kovalam, Kottaikadu, Koovathur, Thiruvidanthai villages in Chengalpattu and Villupuram district of Tamil Nadu at Kovalam Experimental Station (KES), ICAR-CIBA on 14th June 2022. About 70 beneficiaries were trained under the schedule caste sub plan (SCSP) scheme to develop the skills on shrimp nursery/grow-out rearing technology developed by ICAR-CIBA.
The training started with an inauguration program addressed by Dr. P. Mahalakhmi followed by introductory speech by Dr. Akshaya panigrahi, co-ordinator of the program, who briefed the on-going shrimp research programs at ICAR-CIBA and emphesised on the need for increasing production in a sustainable manner for food security. He also mentioned that this novel technology can help to contain nitrogenous metabolites by converting to bacterial biomass thus improving feed conversion, reducing cost of production while reducing risk of disease. Dr. T. Ravisankar, Principal Scientist explained about social and economic security that the biofloc based shrimp culture activity can provide to the group. Dr. M. Jayanthi, Scientist-in-Charge, Crustacean Culture Division, briefed about the prospects of shrimp aquaculture as a group activity. Dr. T. Bhuvaneswari, Nodal officer (SCSP) who was optimistic that this technology will be useful for employment generation among youths and well being of the community.
The trainees were given hands-on training in preparation and maintenance of biofloc, water quality analysis, seed stocking and sampling by the trained technical and scientific faculty. Trainees were demonstrated on farm installation of check tray, acclimatization and stocking of seeds, feeding and measurement of biofloc with the help of Imhoff cone, biofloc based microbial consortium “CIBAFLOC” developed by CIBA for floc generation and water quality management in the biofloc shrimp/fish multi-phased nursery cum grow-out systems. The practical classes were organized at the newly inaugurated biofloc facility of ICAR-CIBA at Kovalam Experimental Station (KES) of the institute. Later, the trainees were taken to Muttukadu Experimental Station (MES) of ICAR-CIBA for an exposure visit to shrimp hatchery, finfish hatchery and feed mill where they were briefed about activities of MES.
The valedictory session was addressed by Dr. T. Ravisankar and other scientists of the division. During the interaction the trainees expressed their feedback on the training and experience gained at CIBA. At the end participation certificates were distributed to trainees. The program concluded with vote of thanks by Dr. N.S. Sudheer, Scientist.
