“Amrit Catla” Launched by Union Minister: A Breakthrough in Freshwater Aquaculture

by Fishery News
Published: Last Updated on

Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, and Panchayati Raj, Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh Alias Lalan Singh, unveiled the “Amrit Catla” – a genetically improved variety of the popular freshwater fish, Catla (Labeo catla). The launch took place at the ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (ICAR-CIFA) in Bhubaneswar, positioning the new breed as a crucial step towards enhancing fish seed quality and productivity for farmers across the nation.

This development marks a major milestone in India’s aquaculture sector, with the National Freshwater Fish Brood Bank (NFFBB), under the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), receiving the Amrit Catla for distribution across the country. Farmers nationwide are expected to benefit from the improved breed, which promises better yields and enhanced productivity.

ICAR-CIFA initiated a selective breeding program in 2010 aimed at enhancing the body weight of Catla at harvest, in response to the demand for high-quality fish seed. The program sourced nine strains of Catla from various states, including West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh. Using the Combined Family Selection method, based on phenotypic data and microsatellite markers, the breeding initiative achieved a remarkable 15% genetic gain per generation, culminating in a 35% cumulative gain by the third generation. Field trials conducted in Odisha, West Bengal, Assam, and Maharashtra demonstrated that the Amrit Catla reached an average weight of 1.8 kg in polyculture systems, outperforming local strains, which averaged 1.2 kg within a year.

The Amrit Catla has already garnered national recognition, having won the Best Technology Award at the 96th ICAR Foundation and Technology Day on July 16, 2024. The fish was officially trademarked as “CIFA-Amrit Catla” on August 1, 2024, marking its formal entry into the market.

During the launch, Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh highlighted the Ministry’s commitment to advancing research in the fisheries sector. He assured continued support for research initiatives to promote sustainable growth and increased productivity in India’s aquaculture industry. Shri Singh also announced that ICAR-CIFA has been designated as the Nucleus Breeding Center for freshwater fish, a move that reinforces the institute’s pivotal role in developing high-quality fish seed in India.

The event was also attended by Shri George Kurian, Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying and Minority Affairs, along with senior officials and industry stakeholders. The launch of “Amrit Catla” underscores the government’s dedication to revolutionizing India’s fish farming sector, ensuring a steady supply of quality fish seed, and improving the livelihoods of fish farmers across the country.

Source: PIB Delhi

 

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