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HomePosts Tagged "Kochi"
Acquaculture, Agro Universities, Animal Health, India, R&D

First initiative in the country to use drone technology for marine mammal research, providing a significant boost to marine mammal conservation efforts. 

ICAR – Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, Kochi, has carried out a drone-based survey to study marine mammal fishery interaction. This is the first initiative in the country to use drone technology for marine mammal research, providing a significant boost to marine mammal conservation efforts.  The study was carried out under the Marine Mammal Stock Assessment in India (MMSAI) project funded by the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). Traditional survey methods often face constraints related to time, costs, and difficulties in monitoring elusive marine species across vast oceanic areas. In contrast, drones provide a more efficient, non-invasive, and cost-effective solution for collecting comprehensive data.

Dr George Ninan, Director, CIFT, stated that the innovative approach is expected to provide crucial data on the behavioral aspects, development of scientific mitigation measures, and conservation of protected marine species.

The research team consists of Dr. Prajith K.K, Paras Nath Jha, Dr. Dhiju Das P. H., Dr. Rithin Joseph, Hrishikesh P. and Shri. Immanuel Shaji successfully identified a pod of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins (Sousa Sp.) from off Kochi. These dolphins are listed as endangered under the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List.

First initiative in the country to use

Acquaculture, Agro Universities, India

Black soldier fly larvae will be utilized to transform the waste into sustainable protein sources, offering an alternative to fish meal in mariculture feed.

 George Kurian, Union Minister of State, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying and Minority Affairs inaugurated the black soldier fly-based bio-waste conversion unit at ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Kochi. As part of the Swachhata Hi Seva campaign led by ICAR-CMFRI, the newly established unit is designed to process vegetable and fishery-related biological waste, adhering to zero waste and circular economy principles. Black soldier fly larvae will be utilized to transform the waste into sustainable protein sources, offering an alternative to fish meal in mariculture feed.

Kurian stated that the Swachh Bharat initiative is dedicated to improve all facets of human life, from production and development to fisheries, agriculture, and the industrial sector. Prioritising cleanliness and sanitation will help create a healthier and more prosperous society, he added. The Minister also said that the government’s Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) programme aims to foster a behavioural change with a mindful and deliberate utilisation of natural resources. He also accentuated that efforts are underway to expand the installation of artificial reefs in the coastal waters of all maritime states, led by the Union Fisheries Department.

Kurian interacted with fish farmers and entrepreneurs in ornamental fisheries, fish seed production, integrated fish farming and fish vending.  He reviewed various facilities, ICAR-CMFRI including Science Technology and Innovation Hub, hatcheries, laboratories and library.

Dr Grinson George, Director, ICAR-CMFRI, emphasized that the Institute followed a scientific approach to swachhata initiatives, including eco-friendly and low carbon technologies in the marine fisheries sector. ICAR-CMFRI focuses on community-based awareness campaigns, especially among women entrepreneurs, helping them to take up these technologies”, he added.

Dr Kuldeep K Lal, Director, ICAR- Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture, Chennai, also graced the occasion. A book titled ‘One Decade of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan at ICAR-CMFRI’ and a brochure on BSFL based bio-waste conversion were released by the Minister on the occasion.

Black soldier fly larvae will be utilized

AgroPolicy, Foodgrains, India, Sustainability

16th Agricultural Science Congress gets underway in Kochi

Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying said that in view of the increasing food demand, environmental degradation and the challenges posed by climate change, there is an urgent need to transform agri-food systems into sustainable enterprises through scientific innovations. He was speaking after inaugurating the 16th Agricultural Science Congress (ASC) in Kochi.

Rupala added that agricultural scientists should strive to infuse greater mechanisation in the agriculture production process and develop and popularise specialised farm implements for women in agriculture.

Union Minister shared his observation during the Sagar Parikrama drive that marine and inland water pollution has seriously affected aquatic life and coastal ecology. He exhorted the scientists to find lasting and sustainable solutions to address this perilous threat.

Sharing his enthusiasm, Rupala highlighted that traditional farm products such as pokkali rice need to be promoted and measures are to be taken to ensure profitability for the pokkali farmers. He suggested that minimising post-harvest losses is equivalent to boosting production and this can be achieved by focusing attention on advanced technological interventions.

Union Minister further added that the future of India’s agriculture depends a lot on how the accumulated scientific knowledge can be translated to commercial success.

Rupala also inaugurated the Agri Expo being held on the side-line of the event which showcases innovative agricultural technologies of public and private sector research institutes, universities, agro-industries, extension agencies and NGOs. The Union Minister gave away the Dr. B.P. Pal Award for Excellence in Agricultural Sciences, Dr. A.B. Joshi Memorial Lecture Award and several other NAAS awards to the recipients.

16th Agricultural Science Congress gets underway in

Acquaculture, Agro Universities, Climate, R&D

The product is a synergistic combination of seaweed-based nutraceuticals, which is a 100 per cent natural blend of highly nutritious bioactive ingredients extracted with eco-friendly ‘green’ technology

The ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Kochi (ICAR-CMFRI) has developed a nutraceutical product from select seaweeds to boost the innate immunity related to post-COVID complications, named as CadalminTM Immunalgin.

The product was released by the Chief Guests Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and Parshottam Rupala, Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, and Kailash Choudhary, Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, at a function during the ICAR Foundation and Technology Day.

The product is a synergistic combination of seaweed-based nutraceuticals, which is a 100 per cent natural blend of highly nutritious bioactive ingredients extracted with eco-friendly ‘green’ technology. Dr Kajal Chakraborty, Head of the Marine Biotechnology, Fish Nutrition and Health Division of the ICAR-CMFRI led the research works to develop the product.

The product is a synergistic combination of

Acquaculture, Agro Universities, India, Live Stock

Initiated by the Shellfish Fisheries Division, ICAR-CMFRI, it aims at restoring the depleted population of pearl oysters in the region.

Tuticorin Regional Station of the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Kochi sea-ranched 5 lakhs hatchery-produced pearl oyster (Pinctada fucata) spat of 5 mm size in select areas in the Gulf of Mannar. This stock replenishment measure was initiated by the Shellfish Fisheries Division, ICAR-CMFRI aimed at restoring the depleted population of pearl oysters in the region.

District Collector K. Senthil Raj inaugurated the sea ranching near ‘Tharaipaar’ close to Tsunami Nagar, Thoothukudi in Tamil Nadu.  This activity should enhance the livelihood of coastal fishers including fisherwomen in the coming years to uplift their social life. Also, two cages of different sizes with settled spat were deployed for the regular monitoring of sea-ranched pearl oyster spat for its growth at this location.

Tuticorin is popularly known as “Pearl City” as it was served as a capital of pearl production and trade centre since time immemorial until 1961 when the pearl fishery was completely banned by the Department of Fisheries for the protection of dwindling pearl oyster stocks. Tuticorin Regional Station of ICAR-CMFRI, due to the huge demand for marine pearls, had initiated research work on cultured pearl production and perfected the technology in 1973.

Local fishers of Thoothukudi district especially women fishers from Sippikulam village were trained by ICAR-CMFRI Scientists for the entrepreneurship development in pearl culture technique through funded research programmes. The hatchery produced spat can be raised as an adult and used for pearl culture. ICAR-CMFRI has done commendable work on sea ranching of pearl oyster spat in the paars earlier. However, regular fishing activities in the paar areas kept the population under control without attaining its healthy stock status.

At present, ICAR-CMFRI is planning to rejuvenate the pearl oyster stocks in the pearl oyster paars of Gulf of Mannar through its sea ranching programme. Close monitoring will be carried out to assess its survival and sustainability through dedicated research activities. During the programme, the fishers from the Tsunami colony, who are descendants of pearl fishers and presently engaged in chank fishery, shared their experience of their ancestors and expressed their interest in carrying out pearl culture activity with the support of the Tuticorin Regional Station of ICAR-CMFRI.

Initiated by the Shellfish Fisheries Division, ICAR-CMFRI,

Acquaculture, Agro Universities

Discussions were held on mariculture-based alternative livelihood options

The ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), Kochi, Kerala launched the year-long campaign to celebrate its 75th Foundation Day.

Delivering his address, the Chief Guest, Dr Joykrushna Jena, Deputy Director General (Fisheries Science), ICAR urged the Institute’s Scientists to prioritise their focus of research in accordance with the urgent need of the society and the nation. Dr Jena underlined the Central Government’s focus on strengthening the mariculture-based alternative livelihood options – seaweed farming and marine ornamental fish culture, etc. This, he stated, would offer better livelihood options to the coastal communities and thereby, support the country’s economy.

Dr A Gopalakrishnan, Director, ICAR-CMFRI, Kochi said that the institute has broadened its objectives by diversifying towards potentially rewarding arenas like mariculture, genetic and biotechnological applications.

Discussions were held on mariculture-based alternative livelihood