10th September 2024, Chennai

ICAR-Central Institute of Brakishwater Aquaculture, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Rameswaram Sigaram Fish Farmer Producer Organisation, Rameswaram, Ramanathapuram, one of the aspirational district of Tamil Nadu, today for marketing of ICAR-CIBA-Plankton Plus and ICAR-CIBA-Hortiplus.  Both are the value added products developed from fish waste using a unique technology. ICAR-CIBA-Plankton Plus is a micro and macro nutrient rich hydrolysate which enhances the natural productivity in the aquaculture systems. ICAR-CIBA has successfully tested and demonstrated the product in farmers ponds in many costal states of India including Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Odisha, Gujarat and West Bengal. ICAR-CIBA-Plankton Plus also has immense potential in enhancing agriculture production, especially paddy. The institute through joint research collaboration with Shri A.M.M. Murugappa Chettiar Research Centre, Chennai standardized the application of PlanktonPlus in paddy cultivation by multi location trials in Tiruvallur and Chengalpattu districts, Tamil Nadu. ICAR-CIBA-HortiPlus is used to enhance the production of agriculture and horticulture crops.

The Rameswaram Sigaram Fish Farmer Producer Organisation used PlanktonPlus and Horti Plus products produced from the ICAR-CIBA-DBT project entitled “Establishment of DBT Rural Bio-resource Complex at Ramanathapuram District, Tamil Nadu” in aquaculture and agriculture crops in Ramanathapuram. Based on the promising results they have decided to take up the marketing of CIBA-Plankton Plus and CIBA-Horti Plus.

Dr Kuldeep K. Lal, Director, ICAR-CIBA, emphasized that the technology needs to be promoted across the country since it helps to promote waste free coastal fish market and uplift the livelihood status of fisher folk. He highlighted the importance of organic paddy cultivation using products like PlanktonPlus to reduce dependency on chemical fertilizers and pesticides, along with a notable absence of pest infestations in paddy.

Dr Debasis De, Head, Research Centre, Kakdwip Research Centre, ICAR-CIBA, Kakdwip, accentuated the importance of this technology and also collaborative research work in agriculture along with MCRC and Krishi Vigyan Kendra.
The event was organized by the Institute Technology Management Unit (ITMU), ICAR-CIBA, and attended by the heads of various divisions.

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