ICAR-CIBA Develops Tank-Based New-Age Shrimp Farming System

The ICAR-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (CIBA), Chennai, released its maidan shrimp harvest from a new-age shrimp farming system, marking a progress for the Indian aquaculture industry. This siginificant initiative, a pilot project under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), is a critical step in the nation's pursuit of sustainable fisheries development. The PMMSY, introduced in the union budget 2019-20, aims to catalyze a Blue Revolution by fostering the sustainable growth of the fisheries sector over a five-year period (2020-2025).

This ambitious project promises to revolutionize shrimp farming operations by integrating state-of-the-art technologies into a unified production system. Implemented with funding support from the Department of Fisheries, the new-age shrimp farming system developed by ICAR-CIBA represents a shift in aquaculture methodologies. This pioneering approach yielded an impressive 1.57 tons of shrimp from a single 500 cubic meter circular tank, highlighting its efficacy and potential for scalability.

Central to the success of this innovative system are several key features, including circular self-cleaning ponds, state-of-the-art feeding automation, intelligent aeration systems, and in-situ natural feed production mechanisms. 

Strict biosecurity protocols along with low energy and water exchange emphasize the environmental mindset behind this project. Dr. J.K. Jena, Deputy Director General (Fisheries) at ICAR, lauded the pioneering efforts of ICAR-CIBA. Dr. Kuldeep K. Lal, Director of ICAR-CIBA, Dr. K.P. Kumaraguru vasagam, project's Principal Investigator, along with senior officials of CIBA, were also present to witness this maiden harvest.

The successful implementation of such pioneering projects highlights the critical role of research institutions and government initiatives in driving sustainable development across diverse sectors.