ICAR-CIBA has established a modular seabass hatchery under the DST, Govt of India funded project with the aim to build technical capacity in fish seed production among Scheduled Caste (SC) communities of Kovalam Village, Chengalpet district, Tamil Nadu for their livelihood. CIBA supported women self-help group achieved a major milestone by selling 156000 first batch seabass seed produced from the modular hatchery and earned an income of Rs.5,95,800/- in three weeks rearing period. The amount was credited directly into the beneficiaries bank accounts, marking an important achievement in developing entrepreneurship among the scheduled caste women in the field of aquaculture.
The fish seed distribution programme was conducted on 14.6.2026 at Kovalam village and Dr. Kuldeep Kumar Lal, Director, ICAR-CIBA has highlighted the necessity of customized aquaculture technologies which are suitable for livelihood of women and entrepreneurship development during his inaugural address and further informed that development of modular fish hatchery systems would help in meeting the growing demand for quality seabass seed among the farmers in the country. He further stressed that farming of high value finfish species such as seabass can help species diversification and sustainability. The modular seabass hatchery, established in an area of 300 m² at the Experimental Station of ICAR-CIBA, Kovalam, Chennai is a customized facility consists of different rearing units for captive broodstock development, spawning and incubation, larval rearing and for live feed culture. The facility was developed to promote technology-based seed production while generating livelihood opportunities for the coastal scheduled caste communities.
Dr. M. Kailasam, Head, Fish Culture Division, ICAR-CIBA and Principal Investigator of the DST-funded project has emphasized that these initiatives can strengthen seabass seed availability to meet the farmers demand while improving the socio-economic status of coastal scheduled caste communities. The programme was attended by senior level scientists of ICAR-CIBA and 35 Scheduled Caste beneficiaries from Kovalam village involved in hatchery operations and entrepreneurial activities. This initiative aligns also attaining with SDGs to eliminate poverty, to provide decent work and economic growth and life below water
The successful sale of the first batch of seabass seed demonstrates the potential of technology-driven community hatcheries in bridging seed demand gaps, promoting inclusive growth, and strengthening the future of Indian aquaculture.
