Chennai-based Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (CIBA) is spearheading pioneering research to genetically enhance the Indian white shrimp, scientifically known as P. Indicus, a national priority species under the Make in India initiative. This initiative is part of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), with Rs 25 crore sanctioned in phase-1 and an additional Rs 33 crore in the pipeline for phase-2.
India stands as one of the world’s largest producers and exporters of farmed shrimp, with nearly 70% of seafood exports valued at Rs 42,000 crore attributed to shrimp exports. However, the sector heavily relies on a single exotic genetically improved shrimp, the Pacific white shrimp or ‘Vannamei.’ To diversify and reduce dependence on this single species, CIBA has taken up the challenge to genetically enhance the indigenous Indian white shrimp.
Genetic improvement is crucial for enhancing traits such as disease resistance, faster growth rates, and improved feed conversion efficiency. The globally successful Pacific white shrimp achieved this through genetic modification and selective breeding techniques.
CIBA’s director, Kuldeep Kumar Lal, stated, “It is to break the dependence on this single species and to promote our indigenous species vis-a-vis exotic species for the benefit of shrimp industry and shrimp farmers that CIBA has taken Indian white shrimp, P indicus, as a national priority species under the Make in India.” The initiative was recently launched by Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying Purshotam Rupala.
Previously, CIBA achieved a significant milestone by decoding the complete genome of P indicus, a global first. This decoding is a fundamental step in the genetic selection of the indigenous shrimp. The director highlighted that P indicus has demonstrated a potential production capacity of 3-7 tonnes per hectare per crop at moderate stocking density even before domestication.
A Panigrahi, scientist and principal investigator of the project, emphasized that the genetic improvement program could result in a genetic gain of 4-7% per generation, doubling productivity, improving feed conversion efficiency, and enhancing profitability for farmers. India’s pioneering efforts in selectively breeding the Indian white shrimp may also open up new opportunities to supply selectively bred parent stocks globally.
