In this issue:

• Promoting farmed shrimp consumption in India’s domestic market: A step towards sustainability
• Leveraging indigenous minor carp for sustainable aquaculture in Northeast India
• Shaping the future of Indian aquaculture: A path to captive catfish seed success
• Sustainable freshwater snail farming: Advancing nutrition security and rural livelihoods in Northeast India
• Promotion and protection of small fish species through farming: An initiative in Tripura
• NACA Newsletter

Small indigenous fish species (SIS) are a rich source of essential nutrients, including proteins, vitamins, and minerals, making them a vital component of rural diets. Despite their nutritional significance, SIS are often undervalued and excluded from aquaculture in favor of larger commercial species.

This study highlights an initiative by ICAR-CIFA in Tripura to promote and protect small fish species through sustainable farming practices. Training programs were conducted to educate local farmers on breeding, feeding, and rearing techniques tailored to SIS. Live food production was emphasised to improve larval survival rates, and mixed-species culture strategies were developed to enhance production efficiency. The initiative demonstrated that small fish farming is a viable livelihood option, particularly in backyard water bodies, providing food security, income generation, and biodiversity conservation.

Northeast India faces significant nutrition security challenges, particularly in rural and tribal areas, where high stunting and anemia rates persist despite high per capita caloric intake. This article explores sustainable freshwater snail farming as a viable solution to address these nutritional deficiencies while enhancing rural livelihoods.

Freshwater snails, such as Pila globosa, Bellamya bengalensis, and Brotia costula, offer high protein content and essential minerals, particularly calcium and iron. Their nutritional value surpasses many plant-based protein sources and compares well with traditional livestock products. The study outlines three practical snail farming systems suited to different farming conditions. Economic analysis reveals that a small-scale backyard system can generate up to 1,800 kg of snails annually, yielding a 272% return on investment within five months. With proper training, infrastructure, and market linkages, freshwater snail farming can play a useful role in improving food security, economic resilience, and rural development in Northeast India.

Freshwater prawn farming has emerged as a viable alternative livelihood for rural communities in Mayurbanja District, Odisha, under the Odisha Integrated Irrigation Project for Climate Resilient Agriculture (OIIPCRA). This World Bank-assisted initiative has supported tribal self-help groups and user groups in adopting aquaculture as a sustainable income source. Through capacity-building programs, exposure visits, and technical support, beneficiaries have successfully engaged in fish and prawn farming, enhancing food security and financial stability. The study evaluates the impact of freshwater prawn farming in two Minor Irrigation Projects (MIPs) in Karanjia and Shyamakhunta blocks, where genetically improved fish and Macrobrachium rosenbergii (scampi) were introduced. Despite challenges such as erratic weather and fluctuating water conditions, both sites demonstrated promising survival and growth rates, with MIP2 yielding superior production due to favorable water availability and market proximity. Economic analysis confirmed the feasibility and profitability of integrating freshwater prawn farming with modern aquaculture techniques.

The 14th Asian Fisheries and Aquaculture Forum (14AFAF) will be held from 12-15 February 2025 in New Delhi, India. Submission of abstracts has been extended until 5 November, and early bird registration closes on 10 November, so get in quick!

The forum is a scientific meeting organised by the Asian Fisheries Society (AFS) once every three years to understand the global trends and address issues and challenges faced by the fisheries and aquaculture sector. The main purpose of this Forum is to provide an international platform for eminent scientists, young researchers, and other stakeholders across the globe to share their research experiences and innovative ideas. By facilitating the exchange of diverse range of knowledge and expertise, the Forum with the Theme ‘Greening the Blue Growth in Asia-Pacific’ aims to address key issues towards developing sustainable fisheries and aquaculture.