ICAR-CIBA, Chennai Builds Capacity of Agricultural Insurance Company Officials on Aquaculture Insurance

10 July 2026, Chennai

In view of the increasing adoption of aquaculture insurance by shrimp farmers as a safeguard against production risks and the anticipated impact of El Niño on aquaculture, the ICAR-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture, Chennai, organized a three-day capacity development programme on "Aquaculture Insurance Survey, Risk Assessment and Loss Evaluation" from 8–10 July 2026 at its headquarters.

The programme trained 12 officials from the Agricultural Insurance Company of India (AIC) representing Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Odisha and Kerala, with the objective of strengthening their technical understanding of aquaculture production systems and enhancing practical skills in insurance survey, production risk assessment and crop loss evaluation.

Dr M. Kailasam, Director, ICAR-CIBA and Course Director, highlighted the institute's journey and its pioneering contributions to the development of aquaculture insurance products adopted by five leading insurance companies. He emphasized the growing need for technically sound insurance mechanisms to strengthen the resilience of the aquaculture sector.

The training programme was inaugurated with an emphasis on the growing importance of aquaculture insurance in strengthening the aquaculture sector. The initiative by ICAR-CIBA was appreciated, and the need for policy measures to integrate institutional credit with aquaculture insurance was highlighted to enhance the financial security of aquaculture farmers.

The participants were briefed on the objectives and structure of the programme. Technical sessions covered aquaculture production systems, nutrition and environmental management, disease management, insurance survey procedures, risk assessment techniques, and scientific methodologies for crop loss evaluation.

The programme also included extensive hands-on training and field exposure through visits to a shrimp hatchery at Nemeli and a commercial shrimp farm at Kalpakkam in Chengalpattu district. Participants interacted with shrimp farmers and entrepreneurs, observed commercial farming practices, and gained practical insights into field-level insurance assessment and loss evaluation.

The valedictory session highlighted the importance of continued collaboration among research institutions and stakeholders for the welfare and sustainable development of coastal farming communities. The role of institutional partnerships in advancing research and extension programmes related to brackishwater aquaculture and strengthening support to the aquaculture insurance sector was also emphasized.

The programme concluded with the distribution of certificates to all participants. Coinciding with the celebration of National Fish Farmers Day, the event marked another significant step towards strengthening scientific capacity for aquaculture insurance in India. Participants appreciated the technical sessions, hands-on training and field visits, which enhanced their understanding of aquaculture insurance surveys, risk assessment and loss evaluation.

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