The ICAR-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (ICAR-CIBA), Chennai, entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bio-Mine Innovations Pvt. Ltd., Hyderabad, on 19 June 2026 to undertake collaborative research and consultancy services on the utilization of value-added novel insect protein as a functional ingredient in aquafeeds. Bio-Mine Innovations Pvt. Ltd., headed by Dr. Sashidhar Bandaru, is an industrial biotechnology startup incubated at AIC-CCMB, Hyderabad and IIT Kanpur. The company focuses on developing sustainable and scalable protein solutions for the aquaculture sector through innovative biotechnology approaches.
The collaboration aims to explore the potential of novel insect protein as a source of functional nutrients to enhance the health, growth, and productivity of cultured shrimp. The partnership is expected to contribute significantly towards the development of next-generation functional aquafeeds that support sustainable and profitable aquaculture. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. K. K. Lal, Director, ICAR-CIBA, highlighted the importance of identifying and evaluating sustainable alternative protein sources for aquaculture. He emphasized that the incorporation of novel insect protein in aquafeeds is highly relevant in the present context and that the collaboration would facilitate the development of innovative functional feeds for shrimp farming. Dr. Sashidhar Bandaru, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Bio-Mine Innovations Pvt. Ltd., presented the genesis of the novel insect protein technology and elaborated on its potential applications and benefits for the aquaculture industry. Dr. K. Ambasankar, Principal Scientist and Team Leader, ICAR-CIBA, outlined the significance of the MoU and detailed the scope of collaborative research, consultancy activities, and future applications of insect-based functional ingredients in aquaculture feed production. The MoU signing ceremony was coordinated by the Institute Technology Management Unit (ITMU), ICAR-CIBA, and was attended by scientists, researchers, and officials from both organizations.
