CIFT Makes Fertilizer and Pet Food Out of Shrimp Shells

The Central Institute of Fisheries Technology in Kochi has developed two items manufactured from shrimp shell waste, as attempts to generate economically viable goods from fish waste gain traction. 

The ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, Kochi has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with M/s Quest Bio Organics (P) Ltd. in Kolkata for the commercialisation of two technologies developed from shrimp shell waste: growth enhancer (foliar spray) and spray dried pet feed supplement. 

Ravishankar CN, Director, CIFT, has signed the MoA with Gangesh Varma, CEO, Quest Bio Organics Private Ltd, Kolkata, to commercialise the innovation. 

The two technologies that have the ability to turn fish waste into wealth and also contribute towards Swachh Bharat Abhiyan of the Indian government. 

Foliar Spray is a specialised fertiliser that contains antimicrobial compounds to boost crop production and plant disease resistance. The second item is a protein, carotenoids, PUFA, calcium, and other nutrient-dense pet food supplement. 

Quest Bio Organics is a technological platform for agro-horticulture product research, development, and marketing of agro-horticulture products.  

Dr. Ravishankar C.N., Director, ICAR-CIFT, Kochi, noted in his presentation that increasing agricultural production per unit area of land has always been a key issue for Indian agriculture. Foliar Spray, as a tailored fertiliser, can function as a growth enhancer in this situation, boosting crop output and developing disease resistance in the crops. The Foliar Spray was created from Shrimp Head Waste and contains all of the essential growth components as well as antibacterial properties in a balanced ratio. 

Dr. Ravishankar emphasised that the Pet Feed Supplement developed by the Institute from shrimp head waste (rich in protein, carotenoids, PUFA, and calcium) may propel the growth of the Indian Feed Industry over the next few decades, citing the compound growth rate of the Indian Pet Feed and Feed Supplement Market over the last few decades. 

Also click here to check ‘ Can we use Fish Waste as a Fertilizer for Plants?’