ICAR-CIBA demonstrated three-in-one system of fish polyculture for doubling tribal farmers’ income and livelihood security at its Kovalam Experimental Station

ICAR-Central Institute Brackishwater Aquaculture (CIBA) demonstrated a three-in-one system of polyculture of fishes viz., ornamental fish reared in hapa, mudcrab cultured in boxes, in pond and Asian seabass farmed in the pond waters intended for the livelihood development of tribal families’ and doubling their income under Scheduled Tribe Component (STC).  Four tribal families at Kovalam, Kanchipuram district, Tamil Nadu were identified and given training on the above system and aquaculture practices to be adopted during the month of November, 2021 at Kovalam Experimental Station (KES) of CIBA, Kelambakkam.

• About 525 Monoangel fish, Monodactylus argenteus, with a range of 2.0-2.6 cm of length and 1.5-3.2 g of weight were stocked in 9 (2x1x1 m) hapas. After 100 days the fish attained a growth of 9.0-10.5 cm length and 26-29 g weight with survival of 71.2%.
• Asian seabass, Lates calcarifer, of size 12.3-17.6 cm of length and 17.0-36.0 g of weight were stocked in pond. After 110 days fishes were attained a growth of 15-30 cm of length and 180-540 g of weight with survival of 60%.
• Two hundred and fifty mud crabs each were stocked individually in floating boxes as well as in pond with initial size of 6.6-9.0 cm length and 53-109 g weight. After 50 days crabs in floating boxes were attained size of 10.5-15 cm of length and 156-384 g of weight with survival of 95%.
• Mud crabs in pond were attained a size of 12-18 cm of length and 290-1010 g of weight with survival of 60% in 120 days. CIBA has established marketing linkages with ornamental vendors as well as live fish wholesalers for marketing the produce. Through this model, the tribal families generated an income of ₹ 77,775 in 120 days.

As part of the final harvest a field level interaction was conducted at KES of CIBA, on 03.06.2022 with tribal families. The revenue generated from this polyculture model was handed over to tribal beneficiaries by Dr. C.V.Sairam, Scientist In-Charge, Social Science Division, CIBA and Dr. T. Ravisankar, Principal Scientist, CIBA. Dr. P. Mahalakshmi, Scientist-in-Charge of STC and the demonstration informed the gathering that Dr. K.P. Jithendran, Director, CIBA directed and provided all facilities to demonstrate brackishwater aquaculture technologies based on the need and interest shown by the tribal farmers in all the coastal states for doubling of their income. Mrs. Bhavani representative of tribal group expressed her happiness about the initiative and informed that the polyculture model provided them a livelihood and doubled their income. This demonstration was undertaken by Dr. P. Mahalakshmi, Nodal Officer, STC, Dr. S. Kannappan, Officer-in-Charge KES, Dr. Dani Thomas, Shri. T. Sivaramakrishnan and Dr. S. Sivagnanam, Chief Technical Officer, CCD, CIBA.