Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh Unveils New Genetically Improved “Amrit Catla” at ICAR-CIFA
13 September 2024, New Delhi: In a major advancement for India’s aquaculture sector, Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, Dairying, and Panchayati Raj, Rajiv Ranjan Singh launched the “Amrit Catla”, a new genetically improved variety of the freshwater fish Catla (Labeo catla). The release took place at the ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (ICAR-CIFA) in Bhubaneswar and marks a significant breakthrough in enhancing the productivity and quality of fish seed for farmers nationwide.
The National Freshwater Fish Brood Bank (NFFBB), part of the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), has received the Amrit Catla, ensuring its wide distribution across India. This development aligns with ongoing efforts to promote sustainable and high-yield fish farming, contributing to the economic well-being of fish farmers across the country.
The breeding program for Amrit Catla began in 2010 at ICAR-CIFA, targeting the improvement of body weight at harvest. Over the years, nine strains of Catla were collected from various regions, including West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh, and served as the base population for selective breeding. Using the Combined Family Selection method and incorporating microsatellite markers, researchers achieved a genetic gain of 15% per generation, culminating in a 35% cumulative gain by the third generation.
Field trials in Odisha, West Bengal, Assam, and Maharashtra showed promising results, with Amrit Catla reaching an average weight of 1.8 kg in one year within polyculture systems—significantly higher than the 1.2 kg average for local strains. This success led to the project being awarded the Best Technology Award at the 96th ICAR Foundation and Technology Day in 2024. The fish was officially trademarked as “CIFA-Amrit Catla” on August 1, 2024.
In his remarks, Rajiv Ranjan Singh highlighted the Ministry’s dedication to supporting research in the fisheries sector, with the goal of ensuring sustainable growth and improved productivity. He announced that ICAR-CIFA has been declared the Nucleus Breeding Center for freshwater fishes, a move aimed at furthering the development of high-quality fish seed in India.
The event was attended by George Kurian, Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, and Minority Affairs, along with senior officials and stakeholders from the fisheries industry. The release of Amrit Catlaunderscores the government’s commitment to strengthening the country’s aquaculture capabilities and improving the livelihood of fish farmers across India.
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