Shrimp farming is practised along a common water body and most of the pathogens are water borne, therefore, collective compliance of better management practices by all the farmers is essential to prevent the entry and spread of disease-causing pathogens in the farming cluster. Disease prevention and control in aquaculture needs a team effort, wherein researchers and the farmer groups should work as a team to identify the real cause of the problem and control the same. This concept was discussed during the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan (VKSA) implemented by ICAR-CIBA in the Nagapattinam district. In this context, a unique model of joint problem-solving approach which involves scientific team from CIBA and the Farmers’ Federation will work together to tackle the diseases. The farmers’ federation will facilitate in field monitoring and collection of water and shrimp samples from a scientifically designed sampling ponds selected based on previous history and the CIBA team analyse the samples and monitor the farms for one or two crops. Through this model, the team would bring out with the real causes of the problem and the potential strategy to manage the same. This innovative project was launched during the event, wherein ICAR-CIBA in collaboration with Pran Farmers Federation of India (PFFI) to engage with farmers in investigating running mortalities associated with shrimp crop failures in Nagapttinam region.
Dr.Kuldeep K Lal, Director, ICAR-CIBA, highlighted the loss caused by these diseases and underlined that ‘CIBA EHP Cura’ a phyto-biotic product developed CIBA scientists has been proved to be both prophylactic and a therapeutic to manage these diseases. The product was first validated in Nagapattinam and again the improved product of ‘CIBA EHP Curagro+’. He handed over the improved version to the farmer groups and urged them to use it in managing the diseases.
Mr Balasubramaniam, General Secretary, PFFI, briefed the farmers about the project activities and highlighted the involvement of other government agencies and private partners. He stressed the importance of coordination and cooperation from farmers for the success of the initiative.
Disease is the major risk in shrimp farming and the farmers need to be informed about the better management practices to prevent the disease occurrence. In this context, ICAR-CIBA conducted a capacity development programme on effective management of shrimp diseases such as Hepatopancreatic Microsporidiosis (HPM) caused by Ecytonucleopora hepatopenaei (EHP) and White Feces Syndrome (WFS) through the phytobiotic solution ‘CIBA EHP cura’ sponsored by the National development Board (NFDB) at Velankanni Nagapattinam on 10.8.25. About 130 farmers attended the programme.
Dr T. Sathish Kumar, Senior Scientist and Team lead delivered a detailed presentation about effective management strategies of EHP and WFS with a special emphasis on ‘CIBA EHP Cura’ – a phytobiotic solution. He presented about the field evaluation data of ‘CIBA EHP Cura’ and elaborated on the development of the second version ‘CIBA EHP Cura gro+’.
Dr Ravikumar, Mr Siva and Mr Yaser the shrimp farmers who have used the CIBA product in their farming shared their experiences on EHP cura and provided feedback on its effectiveness. Subsequently, during the interactive session, ICAR-CIBA Scientists clarified the queries of the farmers.
Dr.K.Ambasankar, Dr.M.Kumaran, and Dr. R Ananda Raja, Principal Scientists ICAR-CIBA coordinated the event with the PFFI.
