Union Minister Parshottam Rupala to inaugurate second edition of Shrimp Farmers Conclave-2023

New Delhi [India], September 12 (ANI): Union Minister of Fisheries Parshottam Rupala will inaugurate the Second Edition of the ICAR-CIBA’s Shrimp Farmers Conclave-2023 on September 14, in Navsari, Gujarat.

The event will also witness the participation of several dignitaries, including Gujarat Minister Raghavji bhai Hansrajbhai Patel, Minister of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Cow Breeding, Fisheries and Rural Development, Member of Parliament C R Patil, and Member of Gujarat Legislative Assembly R C Patel, read the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying press release.

During the conclave, important Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) will be signed. These include an MoU between CIBA and the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) and another between the Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (CIBA) and the Fish Farmers Producer Organization (FFPO) of Gujarat, the press release said.

These MoUs aim to implement crop insurance for aquaculture with premium subsidies offered by the NFDB and provide technology support for the FFPO.

Additionally, the launch of a shrimp crop insurance product by the Agriculture Insurance Company of India Limited is anticipated.

The technical sessions during the conclave will cover various aspects of shrimp farming, including the current shrimp export scenario, disease prevention and management (with a focus on Hepatopancreatic microsporidiosis), crop insurance for shrimp farming, and the development of Genetically Improved Indian White Shrimp (Penaeus indicus), read the press release.

There will also be discussions on the diversification of brackishwater aquaculture with Mudcrab and Asian Seabass fish.

The event will feature an exhibition with live displays of shrimps and fishes, book releases, and the distribution of fish seeds to farmers.

A special session on Aquaculture Crop Insurance and a panel discussion involving inter-departmental officials will address important topics such as shrimp seed quality, shrimp prices, diversification, and electricity tariffs, read the release.

The conclave is organized by the scientific team of Navsari-Gujarat Regional Centre of ICAR-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (ICAR-CIBA), Chennai, under the supervision of Dr Kuldeep K Lal, Director of ICAR-CIBA.

Distinguished individuals, including Grija Subramanian (Chairman cum Managing Director of Agricultural Insurance Company Ltd.), Dr JK Jena (Deputy Director General of ICAR – Fisheries), Dr ZP Patel (Vice-Chancellor of Navsari Agricultural University), Dr V Kripa (Member Secretary of Coastal Aquaculture Authority), Nitin Sangwan (Commissioner of Fisheries, Govt. of Gujarat), and Dr L Narashima Murthy (Chief Executive of the National Fisheries Development Board), will participate and engage with farmers and stakeholders, read the release.

This event is expected to draw a significant gathering of over 300 aqua farmers, stakeholders, public representatives, development department officials, technicians, bankers, insurance officials, faculty, and students.

It represents a vital platform for discussions, collaborations, and knowledge-sharing in the field of aquaculture.