CHENNAI: To help India retain its market share in global shrimp export and neutralise disease threat, Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (CIBA) is popularising ‘Biofloc’ technology, which is eco-friendly and sustainable.
CIBA scientists say commercial interest in biofloc technology is threefold. It provides high productivity, low feed-conversion ratios (FCRs) and a stable culture environment. Also, with emerging bacterial and viral problems coupled with rising costs for energy, biofloc appears to be an answer for sustainable production at lower cost.
Marking a beginning, CIBA has organised first in the series of workshop-cum-training programme on Biofloc-periphyton based technology to farmers, researchers and other stakeholders from various parts of India.
CIBA director KK Vijayan told the Express that Biofloc-based farming makes use of aggregated single cell microbial protein or heterotrophic organisms generated in culture ponds through manipulation of carbon and nitrogen ratio. Being a rich source of quality protein with essential amino acids, minerals, vitamins or fatty acids, it enhances growth performance and its natural probiotic effects help in disease resistance.
With zero or minimal water exchange, biofloc is considered eco-friendly. “Biofloc converts nitrogen into protein for shrimps, while keeping pH levels steady thereby cutting down artificial probiotics,” he said.
Principal Investigator and Coordinator of the programme Akshaya Panigrahi indicated that farmers could safely go for high-density farming. Production per hectare in a conventional pond is about 8 tonnes, while a biofloc pond gives about 20 tonnes.
Other major benefits are feed cost reduction by 15-20 per cent. “CIBA has focused on developing and adopting the technology for penaeid shrimp so as to make it more economical and profitable, increasing brackish water aquaculture,” he said.
However, P Ravichandran, former member secretary of Coastal Aquaculture Authority (CAA) said as of now it’s suited for shrimp hatcheries and nurseries.
But for farmers to take-up on large scale, the Union government should make certain amendments to maximum stocking density, which is currently 60 pieces per cubic metre.
“Biofloc is beneficial for those adopting intensive farming stocking 100 to 150 pieces, yielding 40 tonnes per hectare. It is suited for large-scale cultivators and demands properly trained technicians.”