The ICAR-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (CIBA) has achieved a breakthrough by successfully cultivating mud crabs in earthen ponds. This innovative approach showcases the potential of mud crab farming to bolster the livelihoods of coastal communities and promote environmentally friendly aquaculture practices.
ICAR-CIBA’s programme has proven highly effective, raising hatchery-grown mud crab juveniles weighing just 2 grams to marketable sizes of over 500 grams in only 165 days. The initiative yielded a total harvest of 70 kilograms, with an impressive average body weight of 720 grams per crab. The survival rate reached 45%, a noteworthy achievement given the challenges associated with mud crab farming, with 300 crabs reared per acre.
Highlighting the importance of the initiative, ICAR-CIBA Director Dr. Kuldeep Kumar Lal emphasized that mud crab aquaculture not only addresses rising seafood demand but also promotes ecological balance and economic sustainability in coastal areas. “Mud crab farming plays a crucial role in diversifying brackishwater aquaculture, ensuring resilience in the sector while providing sustainable livelihoods to coastal communities,” he explained.
The success of this initiative was demonstrated in Pattipulam village, located in Tamil Nadu’s Chengalpattu district, under the Scheduled Caste Special Programme. Local residents actively participated in the project, gaining hands-on experience through a harvest-cum-field day event organized at the site. The event highlighted the profitability of mud crab farming and its potential as a sustainable livelihood option for coastal communities.
As seafood demand surges globally, such initiatives are essential for securing food security and economic opportunities for future generations. ICAR-CIBA’s achievement underscores the value of sustainable aquaculture practices, opening new avenues for income generation while ensuring ecological balance in India’s coastal regions.