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HomePosts Tagged "Chennai"
Acquaculture, Agribusiness, Agro Universities, Agrotech, Animal Health, Collaborations, Company News, India, Live Stock

The VNN vaccine developed by CIBA can prevent vertical transmission of the disease to the offsprings and prevent mortality in fingerlings.

Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL), a leading vaccine manufacturer, has announced partnership with Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (CIBA), Chennai, an Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Institute for the commercial development of a recombinant monovalent viral nervous necrosis vaccine for finfish developed by CIBA.

IIL ventured into aqua business in October 2022 by launching products for aquaculture health market dealing with pond management and fish or shrimp gut management and subsequently announced commercial development of fish vaccines with ICAR’s CIFE, Mumbai and CIFA, Bhubaneswar. India is the 3rd largest fish producer in the global sphere and more than 65 per cent of India’s fish is through Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture. The main constraint to aquaculture globally, however, is disease with an estimate that 20 per cent of all cultured aquatic animals are lost because of infectious diseases, amounting to >10 billion USD in losses annually on a global scale.

Viral nervous necrosis (VNN) or viral encephalopathy and retinopathy (VER) is an acute viral disease affecting several species of marine, brackishwater and freshwater fishes. The disease causes up to 100 per cent mortality in larval and early juvenile stages. Adult fish when infected, is asymptomatic, but can transmit the virus to the offspring through eggs and gonadal fluids.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr K Anand Kumar, Managing Director, Indian Immunologicals Limited said, “IIL is the first in India to get to fish vaccines. We are covering different kind of fishes (fresh water, brackish water, etc.) and culture conditions (pond, cage culture, etc.) and are aware of the challenges associated with being the first, having been in similar situations for many other livestock vaccines. We are working at multiple fronts in defining pathways for commercial development of fish vaccines in India”.

Dr. Priyabrata Pattnaik, Deputy Managing Director, Indian Immunologicals Limited added “IIL as a leading “One Health” organization is committed to developing vaccines for different fish pathogens with a long-term strategic objective of reducing use of antibiotics in aquaculture there by antimicrobial resistance in environment”.

Dr. Kuldeep K. Lal, Director, ICAR-CIBA said “viral nervous necrosis is a major threat for brackishwater aquaculture. The VNN vaccine developed by CIBA can prevent vertical transmission of the disease to the offsprings and prevent mortality in fingerlings. The vaccine can play a significant role in controlling the loss due to VNN in India and other Asian countries”.

Aquaculture in India suffers economic losses due to infections caused by several bacterial, viral, fungal, and other aetiological agents. Currently these infections are being managed by anti-infectives and other conventional measures with varying degree of success. With the rising concern pertaining on anti-microbial resistance (AMR) and chemical free food products both at global and domestic platforms, there is a growing need for better control measures against these infections. Currently there is no fish vaccines available in India on a commercial scale to prevent aquaculture infections.

The VNN vaccine developed by CIBA can

Acquaculture, Agro Universities, Collaborations, India, R&D

The objective of the MoU is to evaluate the utility of plant-based vitamin D3 for the improved growth and health of shrimp.

ICAR-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture, Chennai, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the team of Nutrigene Biosciences Pvt. Ltd., Telangana, a technology-driven company working on high-value botanical molecules as a startup firm based in Hyderabad today. The MoU was signed in the presence of Dr. Kuldeep Kumar Lal, Director, ICAR-CIBA.

Dr. Lal highlighted the importance of vitamin D3 and its role in shrimp and fish aquaculture. He also briefed the significance of plant-based product supplements in line with our vision of natural farming in India.

 A.J. Rajesh, Vice-President, Nutrigene Biosciences, spoke about their company’s initiatives in providing high-end biological molecules using natural sources from herbs.

Nutrient Biosciences aims to provide high-value botanicals and other novel standardized plant extracts to the nutraceuticals, food, feed, and cosmetic industries. The objective of the MoU is to evaluate the utility of plant-based vitamin D3 for the improved growth and health of shrimp.

The objective of the MoU is to

Acquaculture, Agro Universities, India, R&D, Start ups

The MoU was inked to evaluate the utility of Loopworm’s products in shrimp and Asian seabass.

ICAR-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture, Chennai signed a MoU with the team of M/s. Loopworm, an insect biosciences and bio manufacturing startup firm based in Bangalore to evaluate the utility of insect-based protein and oil in aqua feeds.

Loopworm is India’s largest insect-based protein and fat producer with a processing capability of 6,000 MT insects annually. Protein and fat are the costliest nutrients in the aqua feed. With the rapid expansion of aquaculture, there is a growing demand for high-quality protein and oil in the aqua feed. Finding nutritionally appropriate and sustainable alternatives to fishmeal and fish oil is an applied research area that added many options to the aqua feed ingredient basket. Recently, insects have received significant attention as a new ingredient for aqua feed since they show many advantages such as low environmental impact, the ability to grow on by-products with better feed conversion efficiency, and a low risk of transmitting zoonotic infections.

The MoU was inked to evaluate the utility of Loopworm’s products in shrimp and Asian seabass. Ankit Alok Bagaria, Co-founder and CEO of Loopworm, emphasised plans for cost-effective production and scaling up the insect protein and oil. The event was organized by the Institute Technology Management Unit, ICAR-CIBA, and SIC, ITMU.

The MoU was inked to evaluate the

Acquaculture, Agro Universities, India, R&D

‘CIBA EHP Cura I’ technology addresses Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei a microsporidian pathogen that poses a severe threat to the global shrimp industry.

ICAR-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture, Chennai, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with M/s Neomeds, Hyderabad, Telangana for the technology transfer of ‘CIBA EHP Cura I’- technology. This innovative technology addresses Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei a microsporidian pathogen that poses a severe threat to the global shrimp industry. After 6-7 years of exclusive research on EHP, ICAR-CIBA developed ‘CIBA EHP cura I’ a treatment that was field validated and led to its commercialization.

Dr. Kuldeep K. Lal, Director, ICAR-CIBA highlighted the severity of EHP pathogen in shrimp aquaculture and the significance of ‘CIBA EHP cura I’ in combating the issue and opined that it will help the farming community in India.

Dr. T. Sathish Kumar, Scientist, and Principal Investigator, ‘CIBA EHP cura I’, briefed about the genesis of development and significance of this product in the treatment and control of EHP and informed the association with M/s Neomeds.

‘CIBA EHP Cura I’ technology addresses Enterocytozoon

Acquaculture, Agro Universities, India, R&D

The MoU aims to implement Livelihood Business Incubators for youth and farmers in the North- East region of India under ASPIRE scheme of MSME, Govt. of India.

ICAR-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture, Chennai, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Aquaculture & Biodiversity Centre, University of Guwahati, Assam for collaborative research on aquaculture and the implementation of Livelihood Business Incubators for youth and farmers in the North East region of India under ASPIRE scheme of MSME, Govt. of India.

Dr Hemanth Kumar Nath, Registrar, Guwahati University, and Dr. Kuldeep K. Lal, Director, ICAR-CIBA, signed the MoU on behalf of their respective institutes. Dr Lal highlighted the importance of the MoU and ICAR-CIBA’s consultancy services in feed formulation, processing technology, fish value-added product development, and Plankton plus production. He emphasized these initiatives will assist farmers and entrepreneurs in developing and implementing technology as a business model.

Dr Nath highlighted the University’s achievements and the significance of signing the MoU, stating that the research findings will be translated into business opportunities to assist farmers and entrepreneurs in India.

Later, Prof. Pratap Jyoti Handique, Vice-Chancellor, Guwahati University, and Dr. Kuldeep K. Lal Director, ICAR-CIBA discussed taking forward this MoU to catalyse the realistic changes in the aquaculture sector by leveraging the expertise, resources, and innovation. The officials from Guwahati University and scientists from ICAR-CIBA attended the function.

The MoU aims to implement Livelihood Business

AgroPolicy, Agrotech, India, Machinery – Post-harvesting, R&D

 As per new guidelines, manufacturer shall confirm that the tractor model has been submitted for tests and the test report on the same shall be submitted to DA&FW within 6 months.

In a major step towards encouraging ease of doing business and promote trust-based governance, the Government has simplified the process of testing of tractors for performance evaluation on 28th August 2023. Tractor manufacturers shall now be allowed to participate in the subsidy scheme on the basis of CMVR/Conformity of Production (COP) certificates and a self-declaration to be given by the company that the tractor proposed for inclusion under subsidy conforms to the benchmark specifications given by Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare.  Simultaneously, the manufacturer shall also confirm that the tractor model has been submitted for tests and the test report on the same shall be submitted to DA&FW within 6 months. The manufacturers shall give a minimum of three years warranty on the tractor to be supplied under subsidy.

The following process will henceforth be followed for the 4 (four) mandatory tests: 

Drawbar Performance Test: The drawbar performance test through the use of load car may be done at Central Farm Machinery Training and Testing Institute Budni or at Mahindra Research Valley (MRV), Chennai. The manufacturers shall also have an option to get it done from any other Government authorized institute or at their own facilities provided that adequate infrastructure is available to conduct this test. In case of the test done at the manufacturers facilities, the test data as may be provided by the manufacturers shall be included in the test reports released by the CFMTTI Budni or the chosen government authorized institution, with the remarks that the tests have not been carried out by the institute and performance results are self-certified by the manufacturer.

PTO Performance and Hydraulic Performance Test: Manufacturers shall have the option to conduct this test at their facilities and the test data may be provided to the CFMTTI, Budni  or the chosen Government authorized institution for generation of the test report with a self-certification that this test has been carried out as per applicable BIS Codes.  The test data as may be provided by the manufacturers shall be included in the test reports released by the CFMTTI Budni or the chosen government authorized institution, with the remarks that the tests have not been carried out by the institute and performance results are self-certified by the manufacturers. The manufacturers shall also have the option of getting it done either at CFMTTI, Budni or at any other Government authorized institutes/facilities having adequate infrastructure to conduct this test.       

Brake Performance: This test shall be done as per the requirements under CMVR. The test already done under CMVR at the authorized institutions shall not be repeated at CFMTTI Budni or any other Government authorized institutes and the same data shall be incorporated in the test reports.

The detailed guideline also provides for the process to be followed by for testing of tractors at CFMTTI, Budni.

 As per new guidelines, manufacturer shall confirm

Acquaculture, AgroPolicy, Agrotech, Live Stock, R&D

The need to explore the use of Plankton Plus in agriculture and horticulture crops to increase the demand for the product

ICAR-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture, Chennai signed a Memorandum of understanding (MoU) with A.M.M. Murugappa Chettiar Research Centre (MCRC), Chennai, Tamil Nadu for evaluating the efficacy of fish waste converted CIBA-Plankton Plus in paddy crop.

Dr Kuldeep K.Lal, Director, ICAR-CIBA stressed the need to explore the use of Plankton Plus in agriculture and horticulture crops to increase the demand for the product. He complimented MCRC officials for recognizing the potential of CIBA in R and D backstopping and coming forward to sign the MoU.

Dr Debasis De, Principal Scientist, CIBA, and team leader of CIBA-PlanktonPlus technology said the potential use of CIBA-PlanktonPlus in agriculture can be explored at the field level through collaborative research with MCRC.  He stressed that if CIBA-PlanktonPlus is found to have a beneficial effect on paddy crops it will improve productivity and increase the income for farmers.

Dr Sandeep, K.P., Scientist and a core member of the CIBA-PlanktonPlus technology team elaborated on the lead found regarding the use of CIBA-PlanktonPlus in paddy crop in a preliminary trial.

Dr N. Unnamalai, Principal Scientist, MCRC said that they are hopeful that the application of CIBA-PlanktonPlus will improve the yield and quality of paddy.

A team of scientists from ICAR-CIBA will coordinate the experimental trials along with MCRC officials.

The need to explore the use of

E-commerce, India, Sustainability

This year’s rubber expo will be the largest rubber trade show ever held in the Asia-Pacific region

The 11th India Rubber Expo (IRE) will be held in Mumbai from March 20 to 23, 2024, and it will be organised by the All India Rubber Industries Association (AIRIA).

According to reports, this year’s rubber expo will be the largest rubber trade show ever held in the Asia-Pacific region.

The rubber expo aims to present the most recent technological developments in the rubber industry, bring together rubber traders under one roof, increase the number of exhibitors, and evaluate the state of the market at the moment.

More than 450 exhibitors, including homegrown and global players from more than 30 nations, are supposed to take part in the exhibition. Roadshows will be held in major cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, and Ahmedabad to promote this expo.

“We are well aware that rubber, as an essential component in most sectors, has immense growth potential in India,” stated Vishnu Bhimrajka, Chief Convener of IRE 2024. Keeping this in mind, an event of this magnitude will provide the ideal occasion to investigate novel products, technologies, and innovations that may contribute to the industry’s expansion.

Ramesh Kejriwal, Leader of AIRIA and Co-Convener of Fury 2024, said, “Similar to each year, this time as well, we are expecting interest from probably the greatest elastic merchants from across Asia. This is an opportunity for newcomers to connect with established players, promote their brand, and exchange ideas. IRE’s ultimate objective is to “pave the way for collective action to achieve ambitious goals by facilitating collaboration between entities and facilitating collaboration.”

Due to its highly diversified application in industries like automobiles, railways, defence, energy and infrastructure, mining, transportation, agriculture and food products, textiles, paper and printing, construction, machinery and equipment, and healthcare, the rubber industry, which generates approximately Rs12,000 crore in revenue, is poised for rapid expansion.

This year's rubber expo will be the

AgroPolicy, Agrotech, India, Logistics, R&D, Supply Chain, Transportation

Built with an investment of Rs 77 crore NTCPWC at IITM to create solutions towards enabling marine sector in India.

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated the Discovery Campus of the National Technology Centre for Ports, Waterways and Coasts at IITM, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.  This centre aims at enabling Research & development for the marine sector enabling solutions towards achieving the ultimate goal of building a robust marine industry in the country. This state-of-the-art centre will ensure advancement in the field of maritime technology, as well as modernisation & upgradation possibilities in the port & operations towards achieving the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat by 2047.

National Technology Centre for Ports, Waterways and Coasts has world class capabilities for undertaking the 2D & 3D investigations of research and consultancy nature for the Port, Coastal, and Waterways sector across all disciplines. Modelling of Ocean, determining the Coastal & Estuarine Flows, Sediment transport and morph dynamics, planning of Navigation and Maneuvering, estimation of Dredging & Siltation, consultancy in Port and Coastal Engineering – designing the Structures and Breakwaters, Autonomous Platforms & vehicles, Experimental & CFD modelling of flow & Hull interaction, Hydrodynamics of multiple hulls, Ocean renewable energy coupled with port facilities are some of the areas where NTCPWC has already contributed to optimise capability of marine sector of India. The Chennai facility has 5 state-of-the-art labs, covering every aspect of design and development, simulation, analysis and production of marine and maritime solutions in line with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision. The laboratories created are among the best in comparison with other International Labs in the specific domain.

This technology centre will also reduce the cost of research drastically and result in cost and time savings for work in the port and maritime sector. This centre shall provide effective solutions to an extensive range of problems being faced in the industry through scientific support and also providing valuable education, applied research and technology transfer in maritime transportation at the local, regional, national and international levels.

Union Minister Sonowal assured that this facility would be expanded to include more World Class Lab Facilities and Innovation Hubs to support Maritime Start-Ups.To advance the Sagarmala Programme’s objectives, NTCPWC will deal in applied research while analysing and fostering port and maritime industry activities. Major Ports including Deendayal Port, Jawaharlal Nehru Port, Paradeep Port, Chennai Port, Kamarajar Port, VOC port, New Mangalore Port, Visakhapatnam Port have contributed generously toward creation of the institute. Significant contributions have also been provided by Inland Waterways Authority of India. The SMP Kolkata, Mormugao port and Cochin port have also partnered in this activity by providing major case study centers.

Built with an investment of Rs 77

Acquaculture, Agro Universities, Agrotech, India, R&D

CIBA-Plankton Plus is a value-added product developed from fish waste using a unique technology which helps in maintaining healthy phytoplankton and zooplankton bloom in shrimp.

ICAR-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture,Chennai signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, Tamil Nadu for transferring the CIBA-Plankton Plus production technology on non-exclusive basis. CIBA-Plankton Plus is a value-added product developed from fish waste/trimmings using a unique technology which helps in maintaining healthy phytoplankton and zooplankton bloom in shrimp and fish culture ponds and also aids in efficient feed management.

Dr. Kuldeep K.Lal, Director, ICAR-CIBA while signing the MoU stressed upon generating adequate data on the field performance of Plankton Plus in agriculture and horticulture crops. He complimented the VIT for recognising the technology and coming forward to sign the MoU.

Dr Debasis De, Principal Scientist, CIBA and team leader of this technology briefly explained the potential of CIBA-Plankton Plus in enhancing the aquaculture productivity.

Dr. Paul Man Singh, Senior Associate Professor, School of Agriculture, VIT was optimistic that they would develop entrepreneurship among the coastal farmers using this technology with the support of ICAR-CIBA.

A hands-on training on Plankton Plus production technology was also imparted to the students of VIT at the Fishwaste Processing Unit of CIBA, Chennai.

CIBA-Plankton Plus is a value-added product developed

Agrotech, Company News, Start ups, Supply Chain

Its bouquet of brands – L:exotique, Dezi Fresh, Censa and SV Agri grab attention

Charting India on the global grandstand, Chennai-based Waycool Foods, India’s leading food and agri-tech platform, pavilioned at the Asia Food Logistica 2022, in Bangkok today. Inspired by the banyan tree, Indian carvings and true-colour themed pavilion personified the Indian culture and value system that WayCool has imbibed. With the most comprehensive tech stack in food, WayCool showcased its robust supply chain, armed by its bouquet of brands – L’exotique, Dezi Fresh, Censa and SV Agri.

Asia Fruit Logistica 2022, is Asia’s number one international trade show for fresh fruits and vegetables. It comprises the cumulative fresh produce industry value chain along with service support companies, as well as the latest, innovative products and ideas. The platform also presents a unique opportunity to develop new business, build quality networks and gain a plethora of information about the current market while emphasizing on shared origins, values, and technical solutions of diverse brands.

Inviting over 10,000 quality buyers and trade visitors from around 70 countries, and more than 420 exhibitors from 42 countries, the convention witnessed the company’s immense potential in harnessing AI, machine learning and robotics to redefine the journey of food from soil to sale.

Commenting on the occasion, Karthik Jayaraman, Co-Founder & Managing Director, Waycool Foods, said, “As India’s largest food and Agritech platform, we are extremely delighted to present India’s strength to address global food security concerns, as well as build strategic partnership to help global food companies get inroads to massive Indian consumer market. It was also an opportunity for the global food ecosystem players to witness WayCool’s efforts, tech, along with the impact our brands have created. Integrating physical and digital worlds through our business model, we strive to create a dynamically sustainable change in the ways food is procured and distributed by leveraging the power of technology. This platform is key to India and our company’s visibility in the global arena, and we are certain that the venture will further drive foreign investments to our country and help scale the food industry whilst cementing our presence overseas as well.”

Its bouquet of brands – L:exotique, Dezi

Acquaculture, Agri Genomics, Agro Universities

The whole-genome information of an aquaculture species has potential applications in the genomic selection and breeding of fish for sustainable production and improvement in the desirable traits like disease resistance

In a major achievement, the ICAR-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture, Chennai’s Scientists have sequenced and assembled the whole genome of the Grey Mullet – Mugil cephalus. The whole-genome information of an aquaculture species has potential applications in the genomic selection and breeding of fish for sustainable production and improvement in the desirable traits like disease resistance, growth and development. The Mugil cephalus is commonly distributed across the world and mostly inhabits the inshore sea, estuaries and brackish water areas. The fish is of commercial value to the global fisheries and aquaculture, there is also high demand for mullet roe.

The whole-genome sequence of Mugil cephalus is a major landmark and this very high-quality genome assembly at the contig-level contained 848 contigs with N50 length of 20.15 Mb. At scaffold level, the assembly is 644 Mb in length in 583 scaffolds with N50 of 28.32 Mb. The fish genome contains 27,269 protein-coding genes.

The whole-genome sequence assembly generated for the first time for Mugil cephalus can be used as a reference genome for the family Mugilidae. The high-quality, chromosome-level genome assembly along with the predicted protein sequences would help to gain further insights into desirable traits through gene expression studies. The whole-genome assembly would provide the baseline information needed to implement genetic improvement programmes for this commercially important fish species in future.

The institute’s science team involved in the fish genome assembly were Dr MS Shekhar, Dr Vinaya Kumar Katneni, Dr Ashok Kumar Jangam, Dr Raymond Jani Angel, Dr Krishna Sukumaran and Dr M Kailasam. The Genome Sequencing Project was financially supported by the ICAR-Consortium Research Platform on Genomics and coordinated by Dr Joykrushna Jena, Deputy Director General (Fisheries Science), ICAR.

The whole-genome information of an aquaculture species

Allied Industry, Foodgrains, Schemes - NABARD, Vegetables

Puliyankudi acid lime, Thooyamalli rice and have applied for the tag

Three Tamil Nadu-based products — the Puliyankudi acid lime, Thooyamalli rice and Virudhunagar sambha vathal (Chilly) have applied for a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in Chennai. Details on all these three products were collated and prepared by IPR attorney P. Sanjai Gandhi on behalf of the applicants.

The application for the Puliyankudi acid lime was made by the Tamil Nadu State Agricultural Marketing Board and Melapuliyankudi Farmers’ Association. The NABARD Madurai Agri Business Incubation Forum was the facilitator.

Puliyankudi, a village in Tenkasi, is famous for acid lime cultivation. Among local people this place is called the lemon city of Tamil Nadu. Kadayam lemon here is popular for its taste and juiciness. Acid lime trees are small and bushy with sharp spines. Leaves are small with narrowly winged petioles. The flowers and fruits are small. The lemon grown in this region weighs about 50g and each tree bears around 950 fruits. It is grown in Puliyankudi, Sankarankovil, Kadayam, Kadayanallur and Kuruvikulam and adjoining areas.

The Virudhunagar Chillies’ Merchants Association, along with Tamil Nadu State Agricultural Marketing Board, has applied for GI tag for Virudhunagar sambha vathal. In Tamil Nadu, chillies are mainly grown in the districts of Virudhunagar, Ramanathapuram, Sivagangai and Thoothukudi and the major markets for them are also located here.

The Tamil Nadu State Agricultural Marketing Board is the applicant for Thooyamalli rice and this was facilitated by NABARD Madurai Agri-Business Incubation Forum. The seeds are directly sown and the transplanting system is used for growing this variety.

Puliyankudi acid lime, Thooyamalli rice and have

Acquaculture, Agro Universities, Sustainability

According to the experts, the effort will undoubtedly improve the economic benefits, contribute to innovation and growth and encourage sustainability

The ICAR-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture, Chennai signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Coastal Corporation, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh for the production of indigenous shrimp larval feed in Chennai.

In his address, Dr Joykrushna Jena, Deputy Director General (Fisheries Science), ICAR highlighted the necessity for promoting the Indigenous Larval Feed.

Dr KP Jithendran, Director, ICAR-CIBA, Chennai stated that the effort will undoubtedly improve the economic benefits, contribute to innovation and growth and encourage sustainability and competitiveness in the aquafeed sector in the longer run.

VR Sharma, Vice-President, Coastal Corporation shared the encouraging trial results obtained with the ICAR-CIBA Shrimp LarviPlus.

Dr K Ambasankar, Principal Scientist and Team Leader for the Feed Technology, ICAR-CIBA, Chennai outlined the initiative’s genesis in line with the Make in India Programme.

According to the experts, the effort will