Bhubaneswar: Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, and Panchayati Raj, Rajiv Ranjan Singh, also known as Lalan Singh on Thursday launched the “Amrit Catla” – a genetically enhanced variety of Catla (Labeo catla) – at the ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (ICAR-CIFA) in Bhubaneswar.
According to an official press release, the National Freshwater Fish Brood Bank (NFFBB) of the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) received the “Amrit Catla” to facilitate its broader distribution, ensuring availability for fish farmers nationwide. This marks a significant achievement in freshwater aquaculture and aligns with ICAR-CIFA’s ongoing efforts to enhance fish seed quality for India’s fish farming community.
The development of “Amrit Catla” began in 2010 when ICAR-CIFA initiated a selective breeding program to improve the body weight of Catla at harvest. Nine strains of Catla were collected from West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh to serve as the base population. The breeding process employed the Combined Family Selection method, utilizing phenotypic information and microsatellite markers to guide the selection of superior fish based on breeding value.
After four generations of breeding, the program achieved a 15% genetic gain per generation, resulting in a cumulative gain of 35% by the third generation. Field trials in Odisha, West Bengal, Assam, and Maharashtra demonstrated that the improved Catla reached an average weight of 1.8 kg in polyculture systems, compared to 1.2 kg for local strains within a year.
The “Amrit Catla” project was nationally recognized, winning the Best Technology Award at the 96th ICAR Foundation and Technology Day on July 16, 2024. It was officially trademarked as “CIFA-Amrit Catla” on August 1, 2024.
Speaking on the occasion, Rajiv Ranjan Singh reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to advancing research in the fisheries sector. He assured that the Ministry would provide strong support for research initiatives to promote sustainable growth and productivity in aquaculture. Singh also highlighted the recent designation of ICAR-CIFA as the Nucleus Breeding Center for freshwater fishes, underscoring its critical role in developing high-quality fish seeds in India.
The event also saw the participation of George Kurian, Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, and Minority Affairs, along with senior officials and key stakeholders from the fisheries sector.
The release of “Amrit Catla” symbolizes the government’s dedication to improving aquaculture practices, ensuring a consistent supply of quality fish seeds, and boosting the country’s fish farming industry.
