
The ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education (CIFE), Mumbai, has recently launched a new farmers’ friendly feed formulation app, CIFE-AQUAFEED-OPTIMA. Designed to assist farmers, entrepreneurs, and researchers, the app offers a user-friendly platform for formulating nutritionally balanced and cost-effective aquafeeds using locally available resources.
CIFE-AQUAFEED-OPTIMA is specifically designed to meet the diverse needs of the aquaculture community, providing precise feed formulations for a variety of commercial fish species at different life stages. With its intuitive interface and advanced algorithms, the app ensures optimal feed utilization, reducing production costs while maintaining fish health and productivity.
The app was inaugurated by Padma Shri Dr. S. Ayyappan, Former Secretary (DARE) and Director General (ICAR), currently serving as the Chairman of the Research Advisory Committee (RAC), ICAR-CIFE. The launch event saw the presence of distinguished RAC members, including Dr. Krishna Srinath, Dr. P.K. Mukhopadhyay, Dr. S. Raizada, Dr. P. Jayasankar, Dr. Pravin Putra, and Dr. Ravishankar C.N., Director and Vice-Chancellor, ICAR-CIFE.
Developed under the leadership of Dr. K.N. Mohanta, Head of the Fish Nutrition Biochemistry and Physiology (FNBP) Division, ICAR-CIFE, the app is the result of a collaborative effort involving Dr. N.P. Sahu, Joint Director, and Dr. Sikendra Kumar, Senior Scientist from the FNBP Division, alongside the Government Polytechnic College, Bandra, Mumbai.
Adding to the momentous occasion, two significant publications were also unveiled: the “Compendium on Feed developed by ICAR-Fisheries Research Institutes” and the “Compilation on Feed Development for Inland Saline Aquaculture.” Both documents, curated by a team led by Dr. Mohanta.
With its farmer-friendly features, the app offers an innovative solution for improving feed management and enhancing productivity in the aquaculture industry.