The ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education (ICAR-CIFE), Mumbai, has introduced a new digital tool, CIFE-AQUAFEED-OPTIMA, aimed at assisting the aquaculture community in formulating nutritionally balanced and cost-effective feed. The application is designed to cater to farmers, entrepreneurs, researchers, and other stakeholders by providing guidance on feed formulation for various commercial fish species at different life stages, utilizing locally available feed resources.
The development of CIFE-AQUAFEED-OPTIMA application was spearheaded by Dr KN Mohanta, Head of the Fish Nutrition Biochemistry and Physiology (FNBP) Division at ICAR-CIFE, in collaboration with Dr NP Sahu, Joint Director at ICAR-CIFE, and Dr Sikendra Kumar, Senior Scientist in the FNBP Division. The initiative was undertaken with support from the Government Polytechnic College, Bandra, Mumbai.
CIFE-AQUAFEED-OPTIMA’s Launch
The application was formally unveiled by Padmashree Dr S Ayyappan, Former Secretary (DARE) and Director General (ICAR), who currently serves as the Chairman of the Research Advisory Committee (RAC), ICAR-CIFE. The launch event was attended by prominent members of the RAC, including Dr Krishna Srinath, Dr PK Mukhopadhyay, Dr S Raizada, Dr P Jayasankar, Dr Pravin Putra, and Dr Ravishankar CN, who also serves as the Director and Vice-Chancellor of ICAR-CIFE.
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Additional Publications Released
Alongside the app launch, two major publications too were launched aimed at advancing feed research and development in the fisheries sector. The first, “Compendium on Feed developed by ICAR-Fisheries Research Institutes,” provides a comprehensive overview of feed innovations and research carried out by ICAR institutions. The second, “Compilation on Feed Development for Inland Saline Aquaculture,” focuses on strategies for feed formulation in saline aquaculture environments. Both publications were compiled by a team of scientists under the leadership of Dr KN Mohanta.
The introduction of the app and the associated publications marks a step toward enhancing feed formulation efficiency and knowledge dissemination in the aquaculture sector. With an emphasis on cost-effectiveness and the use of regionally available ingredients, these initiatives aim to support sustainable aquaculture practices across the country.