Cochin University of Science and Technology to set up aquaculture centre

KOCHI: Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat) is set to establish a Rs 100 crore National Facility For Sustainable Aquaculture Production Systems (NaF-SAPS) as part of the National Centre for Aquatic Animal Health of the university. Cusat Vice-Chancellor unveiled a facility centre of the NaF-SAPS on Thursday. This facility will function at the Lakeside campus of the university and also at the campus of the Cochin University College of Engineering, Kuttanad. The function held in this regard here was presided over by Dr. E. G. Silas, former vice-chancellor, Kerala Agricultural University. Dr. W. S. Lakra, blue revolution, ICAR, Manash Choudhury, NITI Aayog, Dr. K.P. Palanisamy, NABARD, Dr. Valsamma Joseph, director, NCAAH and Dr. Jayesh Puthumana, fellow DBT- IYBA spoke.

The new centre will pave the way for effectively solving the problems of the aquaculture sector to bring in sustainability and subsequent livelihood enhancement of aqua farmers. Medicine production, engineering research laboratory and engineering tools & devices production for aquaculture are the components of the facility. The project was envisaged in an area of 30 acre at the Kuttanad campus at an expense of Rs 100 crore, said Prof. I.S. Bright Singh, UGC-BSR faculty and programme coordinator. Along with this, the two-day National Consultation on Promotion and Intensification of Fresh water Prawns in the country (Scampi Culture) will continue for another two days here.