CIBA’s initiative in aquaculture nutrition and feed development.

Abstract

The Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (CIBA) under Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) was established in 1987 to conduct research and to provide technology support to the country's growing brackishwater aquaculture sector. With capture fishery production both in marine and freshwater sectors having more or less reached a plateau, only aquaculture can meet the increasing demand for fish. Aquaculture is growing at a rate of about 9 % annually and this robust growth in Indian Aquaculture sector is poised for further increase in the coming years with the adoption of technologies developed by the institutions of Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR). One area of technology breakthrough has been the development of feeds with superior nutritional and physical qualities for improved extensive and semi intensive aqua production systems. Feed is the most critical input often accounting for 50-60% of the operating cost, especially for intensive farming systems. Knowledge of nutritional requirement is of paramount importance for formulating aqua feed for sustaining good health, and the best growth with minimum waste output at the least possible cost. Considering the significance of nutrition, CIBA has carried out focused research programme both in basic as well as applied research in the area of feed development for candidate species in brackishwater aquaculture. This contribution brings out the advances made by CIBA in this field.