Collaboration for Aquaculture Innovation: ICAR-CIBA and Guwahati University Forge Partnership

In a significant move towards advancing aquaculture research and fostering entrepreneurship in the North East region of India, the ICAR-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (ICAR-CIBA), Chennai, and the Aquaculture & Biodiversity Centre at the University of Guwahati, Assam, have joined hands.

The collaboration formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), aims to leverage expertise and resources for the implementation of Livelihood Business Incubators under the ASPIRE scheme of MSME, Govt. of India.

Dr. Hemanth Kumar Nath, Registrar of Guwahati University, and Dr. Kuldeep K. Lal, Director of ICAR-CIBA, sealed the partnership by signing the MoU on behalf of their respective institutes.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Dr. Lal noted the significance of the collaboration, highlighting ICAR-CIBA's consultancy services in feed formulation, processing technology, fish value-added product development, and Plankton plus production. These services, he emphasized, will empower farmers and entrepreneurs to adopt technology-driven business models.

Dr. Nath, in turn, emphasized the transformative potential of the research findings, emphasizing their translation into tangible business opportunities for farmers and entrepreneurs across India.

Following the signing, Prof. Pratap Jyoti Handique, Vice-Chancellor of Guwahati University, and Dr. Kuldeep K. Lal engaged in discussions to chart the course forward for the partnership. Their focus was on catalyzing realistic changes in the aquaculture sector by harnessing expertise, resources, and innovation.

The signing ceremony witnessed the presence of officials from Guwahati University and scientists from ICAR-CIBA, marking the beginning of a collaborative journey aimed at driving innovation and sustainable development in the aquaculture domain.