Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, spearheaded the second day of Sagar Parikrama Phase-XII at the Kakdwip Research Centre of the Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (CIBA) in the South Parganas district of West Bengal. The event witnessed the presence of esteemed officials, including Smt. Neetu Kumari Prasad, Joint Secretary of the Department of Fisheries, Dr. L.N. Murthy, Chief Executive, officials from the Government of West Bengal, and other dignitaries.
During the visit, Minister Rupala underscored the importance of upscaling technologies developed by the research centre and emphasized the need to disseminate technological advancements among the farming community. A focal point of discussion was the development of low-cost feeds to support brackishwater aquaculture, aligning with the government’s initiatives to enhance the sector.
The Union Minister toured various facilities at the research centre, including the Fish & Shellfish Hatchery, Feed Mill, and Fish Waste Processing Unit. His review encompassed ongoing activities and showcased technological innovations, including the production of low-cost feeds and various aquaculture feeds. Demonstrations on fish waste recycling and the development of value-added products like CIBA-Plankton Plus & CIBA-Horti Plus were also featured.
Accompanying Shri Parshottam Rupala were Ms. Neetu Kumari Prasad, Joint Secretary (Marine Fisheries), and Dr. L. Narasimha Murthy, Chief Executive I/c & Senior Executive Director of the National Fisheries Development Board.
Dr. Debasis De, Head of the Kakdwip Research Centre, provided insights into the centre’s infrastructure, ongoing research activities, and developed technologies. Notable initiatives in species diversification and breeding and captive maturation of regional fish and shellfish species were highlighted. Species such as Hilsa, Bengal bream, Knight goby, Tade mullet, Speckled shrimp, Orange mud crab, among others, were part of the research focus.
The visit aimed to showcase the advancements in aquaculture and foster further developments in the sector, aligning with the government’s commitment to promoting sustainable and innovative practices in fisheries, animal husbandry, and dairying.