A major step forward for field-level disease surveillance and farmer resilience
The Prawn Farmers Federation of India (PFFI), in collaboration with scientists from the Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (ICAR–CIBA) and the Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Aquaculture (RGCA–MPEDA), has initiated a pilot-scale disease surveillance study to address one of the most urgent challenges in Indian aquaculture — persistent and rapid mortalities, repeated crop failures, and the uncertainty they bring to shrimp farmers across the country.
The pilot phase will begin in Tamil Nadu, focusing on two widely reported but poorly understood conditions:
- Persistent and rapid mortalities associated with white muscle
- Chronic production issues linked to white feces
Over the next two years, the study will combine:
✅ A case-control epidemiological survey to identify risk factors
✅ Continuous farm-level monitoring and field investigations
✅ Lab-based challenge trials to test suspected causative agents and triggering conditions
The MoU was formally signed on 29th July at CIBA’s Muttukadu Research Station by Dr. Kuldeep Lal (Director, CIBA) and Mr. Balasubramaniam V (General Secretary, PFFI). The signing was witnessed by scientists and stakeholders including Mr. S Santhanakrishnan (Founder President, SAP) and Mr. D Ramraj (Former President, AISHA & SAP).
This is the first structured, farmer-led shrimp health study in India — uniting scientific institutions and grassroots farming organisations to jointly generate field-level evidence and long-overdue clarity.
✳️ A united effort to find answers — and a path forward — for shrimp farmers across India.
PS: Heartfelt thanks to Dr. Kuldeep Lal for his enthusiastic support and leadership in advancing this collaborative initiative.
Sincerely
Bala.
Balasubramaniam V
General Secretary
Prawn Farmers Federation of India
