Virtual National Awareness Programme on “ICAR-CIFA-GI Scampi: The Genetically improved and fast-growing Strain of Scampi for higher production and income” organized

27th July, 2021, Bhubaneswar

The ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, Bhubaneswar, Odisha in collaboration with the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India and National Fisheries Development Board, Hyderabad organized a Virtual National Awareness Programme on “ICAR-CIFA-GI Scampi: The Genetically improved and fast-growing Strain of Scampi for higher production and income” today.

Shri J.N. Swain, I.A.S., Secretary, Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Government of India marked his presence as the Chief Guest of the occasion. Dr. Joykrushna Jena, Deputy Director General (Fisheries Science), ICAR;  Dr. C. Suvarna, I.F.S., Chief Executive, NFDB, Hyderabad and Shri Sagar Mehra, Joint Secretary (Inland fisheries), Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Government of India were among the Guests of Honor during the occasion.

In his welcome address, Dr. S.K. Swain, Director, ICAR-CIFA, Bhubaneswar briefed about the ICAR-CIFA-GI Scampi developed by the Institute in collaboration with the WorldFish, Penang, Malaysia through selective breeding from the different stocks of Scampi collected from Gujarat, Kerala and Odisha. Dr. Swain stated that the new variety has so far completed 12 generations with a cumulative response of 50%. He also urged for involving actively for a fruitful discussion and making an Action Plan to disseminate the ICAR-CIFA-GI Scampi to the farmers’ fields.

The awareness programme was organized under the PMMSY CS Scheme on “Scaling-up of Genetic Improvement Programme of Freshwater Prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii (Scampi)” sanctioned to the ICAR-CIFA, Bhubaneswar.

The main objective of the programme was to create the awareness about the “ICAR-CIFA GI Scampi” - A genetically improved and fast-growing strain of Giant Freshwater Prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii and partner with the potential State Fisheries Departments and Scampi Hatcheries in disseminating the improved strain across the country.

A total of 364 participated including the State Fisheries Department Officials from 9 States, Scampi Hatchery Operators and Farmers, Scientists and Academicians participated in the awareness programme.

(Source: ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, Bhubaneswar, Odisha)