Union Agri Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan reviews ICAR-CIBA’s R&D progress in aquaculture

New Delhi: Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare & Rural Development, recently undertook a comprehensive review of the Research and Development (R&D) initiatives at the ICAR-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (ICAR-CIBA) in Chennai. His visit, spanning July 5th and 6th, 2024, included a thorough inspection of the institute’s facilities, underscoring the critical role of R&D in advancing agricultural practices.

During his visit, Chouhan toured the various research labs and experimental facilities at ICAR-CIBA’s field station in Muttukadu, Chennai. He familiarized himself with key projects, including the feed mill, shrimp, mud crab, and finfish hatcheries, as well as the state-of-the-art NewGen shrimp production facility and farming facilities.

Addressing the gathering, Chouhan stressed the significance of research aimed at enhancing the livelihoods of small and marginal farmers through societal development initiatives. He outlined six key principles for guiding future R&D efforts, emphasizing the need for agro-forestry and social forestry programs involving women to bolster environmental sustainability and increase green cover.

Dr. Kuldeep K Lal, Director of ICAR-CIBA, highlighted the institute’s pivotal role in brackishwater aquaculture and its focus on high-value shrimp species. He spotlighted recent achievements in R&D, including the launch of a shrimp crop insurance scheme, the development of innovative products like PlanktonPlus and HortiPlus, and ICAR-CIBA’s designation as the National Referral Laboratory for aquatic diseases surveillance.

The visit was attended by scientists, officers, staff, and scholars associated with ICAR-CIBA, underscoring collective efforts towards advancing agricultural research and sustainable aquaculture practices.