The Kakdwip Research Centre (KRC) of the ICAR-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (ICAR-CIBA) organized a farmers’ interaction to sensitize the farmers on “Balanced use of fertilizers (Khet Bachao Abhiyan) on 27 June 2026 at Kakdwip, West Bengal. The programme was organized as part of the nationwide initiative launched by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) focussed on core mission to protect soil health, promote scientific farming, and reduce the indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers. The major aim of the programme was to sensitize the farmers on the latest technological interventions developed by ICAR-CIBA like Plankton Plus and Horti Plus, which can be used as an alternative biofertilizer replacing the use of chemical fertilizers. The programme also facilitated interaction between scientists and farmers to address field-level challenges and promote the adoption of improved aquaculture technologies.
Shri Dipankar Jana, Hon’ble Minister of State, Sundarban Affairs, Land & Land Reforms and Refugee Relief & Rehabilitation, Government of West Bengal graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. The Hon’ble minister appreciated ICAR-CIBA’s efforts in developing farmer-friendly technologies and expressed confidence that the commercialization of Chingudi Plus through a local enterprise would ensure greater availability of affordable quality shrimp feed, generate rural entrepreneurship and strengthen the sustainability of shrimp farming in coastal West Bengal.
The minister inaugurated state-of-the-art salinity gradient recirculatory aquaculture system (RAS) for the captive breeding of Hilsa (Tenualosa Ilisha) at KRC-CIBA campus. The facility has been established as a pioneering research initiative aimed at developing captive breeding technologies for Hilsa, one of the most economically and culturally significant fish species in India. He expressed confidence that the facility would pave the way for future breakthroughs in Hilsa breeding technology, thereby supporting conservation efforts, enhancing fish production and creating new livelihood opportunities for fish farmers.
During the programme the minister released a bengali publication titled “Plankton Plus and Horti Plus – Fish waste based biofertilizers for agriculture”, showcasing the innovative utilization of fish processing waste as an alternative fertilizer replacing the chemical fertilizers, which can improve the plant and soil health.
The Minister released the revenue share earned by beneficiaries under the Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan (SCSP) and Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) programmes implemented by ICAR-CIBA through successful demonstrations on sustainable shrimp farming using Chingudi Plus and Plankton Plus, and low-salinity carp farming using Plankton Plus.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between ICAR-CIBA and M/s. T.K. Enterprise, Kakdwip, West Bengal, for the commercial production and dissemination of Chingudi Plus, a cost-effective shrimp feed technology developed by ICAR-CIBA using locally available feed ingredients. The partnership under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode is expected to facilitate wider adoption of affordable feed technologies among shrimp farmers while promoting rural entrepreneurship in the region.
Presiding over the programme, Dr. Kuldeep K Lal the Director, ICAR-CIBA highlighted the institute’s initiatives towards sustainable and climate-resilient aquaculture development in coastal ecosystems. He emphasized the importance of maintaining soil health for maintaining the agriculture productivity of the country and also sensitized the farmers on the use of biofertilizers developed by ICAR-CIBA.
The programme witnessed enthusiastic participation from farmers, fishers, entrepreneurs, scientists, officials from line departments, representatives of self-help groups and other stakeholders from different parts of the district.
