ICAR-CIBA’s three Infrastructures inaugurated

22^nd May, 2021, Chennai

The ICAR-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture, Chennai’s three additional infrastructures, viz., ICAR-CIBA’s Kovalam Experimental Station, Farmer’s Facilitation Centre and Brackishwater Ornamental Fish Hatchery and Finfish Seed Rearing Unit were inaugurated today.

In his address, the Chief Guest, Shri. J. Jayakanthan, I.A.S., Commissioner of Fisheries, Department of Fisheries, Government of Tamil Nadu lauded the ICAR-CIBA’s technological contributions and its support for developing aquaculture in Tamil Nadu. Inaugurating the Farmer’s Facilitation Centre, he highlighted the Institute’s work done for the fish farmers’ societal empowerment and economic development. Shri Jayakanthan emphasized on the utilization of the ICAR-CIBA’s services by the Department of Fisheries, Government of Tamil Nadu for developing the Brackishwater Aquaculture sector in the state.

Virtually inaugurating the ICAR-CIBA’s Kovalam Experimental Station, Dr. Joykrushna Jena, Deputy Director General (Fisheries Science), ICAR lauded the Institute’s work in the technology back-stopping front.

Dr. K.K. Vijayan, Director, ICAR-CIBA highlighted the possibilities of the Kovalam Experimental Station having 65 acres of land including potential Brackishwater areas, for the expansion of R&D, harmonizing with the Muttukkadu Experimental Station. Dr. Vijayan stressed that the land having the access to estuarine / coastal / oceanic waters makes it ideally suitable for developing the diversified farming systems, brood & nursery banks and fisheries based livelihood systems.

The Director emphasized that the Farmer’s Facilitation Centre established at the Muttukadu Experimental Station of ICAR-CIBA provides an opportunity to the stakeholders visiting the Institute’s hatcheries, farms, feed mill and other laboratories to stay and have hands-on-experience. Dr. Vijayan also stated that the newly opened Ornamental Hatchery and Finfish Seed Rearing Centre helps in promoting the Brackishwater Ornamental Fishes, with hatchery technology for 5 species of fishes including silver moony (angel fish), spotted scat, silver fish (milkfish), and Etroplus spp finfish hatchery complex.

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