Biofloc for Blue Growth: Promoting Small Scale Aquaculture in Inland Salt-affected Areas

Mrs. Asha Hooda, DFO, Haryana was the Chief Guest on the occasion while Dr. Babitha Rani, OIC Chaired the proceedings. The feasibility as well as the benefits of biofloc technology in terms of water and space requirement, reduction in feed cost, profitability, etc. in inland saline shrimp aquaculture were highlighted. Recognising the role being played by CIFE Centre in providing technological support and training in the region that is transforming farmers’ livelihoods, farmers expressed the need for training and demonstrations on biofloc based shrimp aquaculture. The process to set-up the biofloc unit, inoculum preparation, selection of suitable candidate species, ammonia management, stress management, and do’s & don’ts in biofloc based aquaculture were illustrated to the farmers during the workshop. The progressive farmerentrepreneur and a success story of CIFE, Mr. Raj Kumar shared his experience and the benefits by adopting nursery rearing technology for shrimp farming using biofloc technology as it reduces days of culture and controls disease occurrence in earlier stages. Interaction session with farmers helped clear many queries. Workshop drew attention towards discharge of the aquaculture waste water and possibilities to their reuse after settling of solids and treatment in a designated area, as it might affect sustainable expansion of aquaculture in salt affected areas. Awareness about various State schemes and PMMSY was also created among farmers. Dr. Sreedharan K and Dr. Pankaj Kumar coordinated the event.