Discussions were held on how introduction of foliar spray as a customized fertiliser can act as a growth enhancer to boost the crop yield

The ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, Kochi, Kerala recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with Kolkata-based Quest Bio Organics (P) for commercialising the two technologies – Growth Enhancer (Foliar spray) and Spray Dried Pet Feed Supplement developed from the shrimp shell waste.

The two technologies having the potential of converting the fish waste to wealth are paying their dues in the Government of India’s Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.

In his address, Dr Ravishankar C.N., Director, ICAR-CIFT, Kochi stated that raising the agricultural productivity per unit area of the land always remains a major challenge before Indian agriculture. In such a scenario, the introduction of foliar spray as a customised fertiliser can act as a growth enhancer to boost the crop yield and develop disease resistance in the crops. Developed from Shrimp Head Waste, the Foliar Spray contains all the vital growth elements and antimicrobial agents in a balanced proportion.

Highlighting the compound growth rate witnessed by the Indian Pet Feed and Feed Supplement Market over the past few decades, Dr Ravishankar emphasised that the Pet Feed Supplement developed by the Institute from shrimp head waste (rich in protein, carotenoids, PUFA and calcium) may propel the growth of Indian feed industry.