ICAR-CCARI ने करवार, कर्नाटक के मछली किसानों के साथ संवाद सत्र आयोजित किया
ICAR-CCARI Organised Interaction Session With Fish Farmers From Karwar, Karnataka
An Exposure cum Interaction Session under ADB-Funded Project “Building capacity for climate change adaptation in Smallholder Fish Farming”
As part of the ADB-funded project “Building Capacity for Climate Change Adaptation in Smallholder Fish Farming” implemented by ICAR-Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR-CCARI), Old Goa, an exposure-cum-interaction session was organized at the Post Graduate Centre, Karnataka University, Karwar, on 3rd September 2026. The programme aimed to strengthen the technical capacity of small-scale fish farmers and promote climate-resilient and sustainable aquaculture practices. Particular emphasis was given to challenges faced by seabass (Lates calcarifer) cage culture farmers, including high water flow, seed availability, disease management, stocking density, feed management, harvesting and marketing.
The programme commenced with an inaugural technical session by Dr. Trivesh S. Mayekar, Scientist, ICAR-CCARI, who highlighted climate-resilient aquaculture, capacity building and farmer–scientist interaction. Dr. Sreekanth G. B., Senior Scientist, ICAR-CCARI, and Dr. Shivakumar Haragi, Professor and Chairman, Post Graduate Centre, Karnataka University, Karwar, provided valuable technical and institutional inputs on sustainable fisheries management and aquaculture practices. Dr. C. Kalidas, Principal Scientist, ICAR-CMFRI, Karwar, emphasized diversification of species and technologies and adoption of integrated farming systems. Smt. Asha Hadkar, Senior Fellow and Researcher, TERI, Goa, also participated in the programme and contributed to the coordination and interaction process. During the interactive discussion, farmers raised concerns regarding high water flow in cage culture, seed cost and availability, seabass marketing, crab farming and collective procurement. Dr. Shrikant G. B. suggested temporary shade-net barriers and suitable PEN arrangements to manage excessive water flow. Dr. Trivesh S. Mayekar provided guidance on different methods of crab farming, seabass polyculture, direct marketing of seabass to hotels, partial harvesting, grading, FFPO formation and collective procurement of feed and seed.
The session enhanced farmers’ awareness of water-quality and feed management, optimal stocking density, cage maintenance, seed acclimatization, integrated aquaculture, value addition and market linkages. It also promoted sustainable practices and collective action through Fish Farmer Producer Organisations. The interaction strengthened linkages among fish farmers, ICAR-CCARI, ICAR-CMFRI and Karnataka University, facilitating practical problem-solving and scientific knowledge exchange. The programme was coordinated and implemented by Dr. Trivesh S. Mayekar and Dr. Shrikant G. B., ICAR-CCARI, with coordination and field support from Mr. Abhishek Kenganal, Consultant, State Level Coordinator (Karnataka), TERI. The participation and support of Dr. C. Kalidas, Dr. Shivakumar Haragi, Smt. Asha Hadkar, and the 20 participating fish farmers contributed to the successful conduct of the interaction session.