ICAR CIBA, Chennai Organizes Workshop on Experience Sharing on the Adoption of Brackishwater Aquaculture Technologies by the Coastal Farming Communities

7 August 2026, Chennai

ICAR–Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture, Chennai is successfully implementing schemes viz., Scheduled Tribe Component (STC) and Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCSP) focusing on improving the livelihood income of resource poor coastal aqua farmers and fishers. As a part of these schemes, today a workshop entitled “Experience sharing on adoption of brackishwater aquaculture technologies by Scheduled Tribe and Scheduled Caste beneficiaries” was conducted.

Dr M Kailasam, Director, ICAR CIBA released the book on “Brackishwater aquaculture technologies for societal development of coastal Scheduled Caste and Tribal families in Tamil Nadu” and addressed on the role of ICAR CIBA for improving the livelihood income of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe farmers in coastal communities through technologies such as cage culture of Asian Seabass (Lates calcarifer), rearing of other finfishes’ species such as Pearl spot (Etroplus suratensis) and Milkfish (Chanos chanos), culture of Mud Crab (Scylla serrata) and ornamental fishes,  production of bioproducts like PlanktonPlus and HortiPlus from fish waste etc. These technologies are technically feasible and economically viable for small scale farming.

During the experience-sharing sessions, farmers from Tiruvallur and Chengalpattu districts shared their experiences on crab farming, cage culture of finfishes, seabass nursery rearing in brackishwater canals, ornamental fish farming, fish feed processing, and culture of mud crab and blue swimmer crab in ponds. They also shared their experiences on seabass culture and cage farming in brackishwater bodies. The participants discussed the economic and other benefits derived from the adoption of ICAR-CIBA technologies, as well as the constraints faced in scaling up these technologies.

A focused group discussion was also conducted, providing an opportunity for scientists and farmers to interact and discuss the field-level performance of CIBA technologies, with special emphasis on the constraints faced by farmers in continuing and expanding the adoption of these technologies.

Later, the farmers were sensitized on “The Effect of El-Nino on Aquaculture and Adaptation Measures to be Taken by All Concerned,” highlighting the potential impacts of El-Nino on aquaculture and the adaptation measures required to address the associated challenges.

A total of 40 ST and SC beneficiaries from coastal villages of Tiruvallur and Chengalpattu districts of Tamil Nadu participated in the programme.

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