Shri Ram Nath Thakur visits ICAR-CIBA

8 January 2026, Chennai

The Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shri Ram Nath Thakur visited the ICAR-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture, Chennai today and reviewed key research and production facilities, including the New Age Shrimp Farming Facility, Finfish Hatchery, Shrimp Hatchery and Feed Mill.

The Minister interacted with the scientists and appreciated their dedicated efforts in advancing brackishwater aquaculture research. He emphasized that the technologies and innovations developed by ICAR-CIBA should reach farmers across all regions of the country, with special focus on poor and marginal farmers in the inland states such as Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. He stated that inclusive dissemination of aquaculture technologies would contribute significantly to rural development, farmer welfare and will play a crucial role in achieving national goals of food security.

Dr. Kuldeep K Lal, Director, ICAR-CIBA presented an overview of the ICAR-CIBA’s major contributions to the brackishwater aquaculture sector, highlighting the research on brackishwater species reared across a salinity range of 1–35 ppt. He also emphasized the institute’s focus on species diversification, productivity enhancement, seed quality improvement and development of farmer-friendly technologies to strengthen livelihoods.

The scientists briefed the minister on the cutting-edge technologies and research initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable, climate-resilient and economically viable brackishwater aquaculture in the country.

On this occasion, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was also signed for the establishment of a crab hatchery in Tamil Nadu with technical support from ICAR-CIBA, marking an important step towards strengthening crab seed production and promoting diversification in coastal aquaculture.

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