ICAR-CIBA achieves milestone in mud crab aquaculture

The programme managed to grow hatchery-reared mud crab instars (2 g) to marketable size (over 500 g) in just 165 days.

The mud crab aquaculture programme at ICAR-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture has achieved a significant milestone by successfully farming mud crabs in earthen ponds. The programme managed to grow hatchery-reared mud crab instars (2 g) to marketable size (over 500 g) in just 165 days. A total production of 70 kg was recorded, with an average body weight of 720 g. The survival rate was 45 per cent, which is considered relatively high for mud crabs, with a rearing density of 300 crabs per acre.

Dr Kuldeep Kumar Lal, Director, ICAR-CIBA, highlighted the growing importance of mud crab farming to meet the future demand and the role of mud crab farming in the diversification of brackishwater aquaculture to ensure the sustainability of this sector in India.

ICAR-CIBA demonstrated Mud crab farming under the scheduled caste special programme with coastal communities of Pattipulam village, Chengalpattu district, Tamil Nadu. A harvest-cum-field day was also organised at the demonstration site.

The programme managed to grow hatchery-reared mud