Kolkata: The ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (CIFRI) in Barrackpore has entered into a transfer license agreement with Agrinnovate India Ltd., New Delhi, and M/s M. R. Aquatech, Bhubaneswar. The agreement, centered on the ICAR-CIFRI Pen HDPE technology, aims to revolutionize in-situ fish fingerling production in India’s reservoirs and wetlands.
This eco-friendly technology enables high-quality fingerling production directly within natural water bodies, eliminating the need for conventional hatcheries. Previously commercialized, this is the second time the Pen HDPE technology has been licensed, marking a milestone for the inland fisheries sector.
Dr. B. K. Das, Director of ICAR-CIFRI, emphasized the importance of the innovation, stating that it ensures efficient stocking of reservoirs and wetlands without compromising fish quality. He also noted that this is the eighth technology commercialized by the institute in the past five years, reflecting CIFRI’s dedication to sustainable fisheries advancements.
The event was attended by key figures, including Subhash Chandra, Director of the Department of Fisheries, Government of India, who lauded the institute’s ongoing contributions to eco-friendly fish farming. Dr. B. K. Behera, Chief Executive of the National Fisheries Development Board, Hyderabad, remarked on the potential of the technology to transform fish production practices across the country.
Dr. Praveen Malik, CEO of Agrinnovate India Ltd., also expressed optimism, highlighting the technology’s ability to meet the rising demand for quality fish seed in India. M/s M. R. Aquatech has been granted a non-exclusive license for a five-year term, enabling the company to manufacture and distribute the Pen HDPE system nationwide, further strengthening India’s fish production infrastructure.