ICAR-CIBA, Chennai demonstrates an innovative aquamimicry based Shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) farming and organized a harvest mela

16th November, 2022, Pattipulam, Kancheepuram

ICAR-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture, Chennai conducted a front-line demonstration of novel aquamimicry based shrimp Penaeus vannamei farming model under the scheduled caste sub plan (SCSP) program here today. A harvest mela was also organised to exhibit the relative advantage and production potential of the new system in a farm at Pattippulam village near Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

This innovative system strives to simulate the natural estuarine condition in the pond by creating zooplankton biomass primarily copepods. By this farming technology, the feed cost is reduced without compromising production and productivity.

This model involves shrimp nursery for 30 days and Subsequently, the nursery reared shrimp juveniles were stocked in a grow-out pond (6000 m2) leased-in by the SCSP beneficiaries. The stocked shrimps were farmed until reaching a marketable size following aquamimicry approach. Within 75 days of post-nursery rearing, the farmed shrimp reached an average weight up to 21 g and a production of 4.2 tons of shrimp was harvested in 0.6 ha of farm (7.0 t/ha) with a survival of 85%.

Dr. Kuldeep Kumar Lal, Director, ICAR-CIBA stressed the importance of innovative shrimp farming technology in the context of current declining trend in market price of farmed shrimp. Further, he emphasized that aquamimicry based shrimp farming not only reduces the feed cost but also reduces the duration of culture without compromising the production.

Dr. K.P. Jithendran, Principal Scientist and Scientist-In-Charge, Aquatic Animal Health and Environment Division explained the genesis of this programme, and need for popularizing this approach.

Shri. R. Aravind, Nodal Scientist of this demonstration programme explained the significance of the farming technology. Other scientists of the Crustacean Culture Division of the Institute and scientists involved in this program felicitated the event.

(Source: ICAR-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture, Chennai)