Stakeholders workshop on “Climate Change and Coastal Aquaculture: Impacts, adaptations and Mitigations  for Resilience” was organised by Central Institute of rackishwater Aquaculture (CIBA), Chennai under the project “National Initiative on limate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) on 24th October, 2011 at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Undi, West Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh. About 100 people representing all the Stakeholders of aquaculture including aqua farmers, feed and input suppliers, aqua consultants, researchers (KVK and Water Management Project, (ANGRAU) Undi, RARS, ANGRAU) Maruteru, Fisheries Research Station, SVVU) Undi, College of Fisheries, Muthukur), ovt. officials (Department of Fisheries, Department of Agriculture, MPEDA, NaCSA, NABARD, Non Governmental Organisations such as Delta Farmers Association, Eluru) in West Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh attended the workshop.

Dr. Goipikrishna Principle Scientist and SIC (NGBD), CIBA Chennai, representing the Director of the Institute thanked all the participants for attending the workshop and briefly mentioned to the august gathering about the importance and relevance of studying the climate change parameters, events and their impact in aquaculture sector.

Dr. B. Venkateswarlu, Director, CRIDA, Hyderabad & National Coordinator, NICRA the chief guest described  the origin of NICRA project, implementation and execution of the project all over India, funds allotted for long term research as well as for providing immediate solutions to the farmers in view of climate change, and also the present status and future directions of the NICRA project.

Shri. M.V.S. Nagireddy, Governing Body member, ICAR, New Delhi the guest of honour highlighted the needs and aspirations of the farmers in Godavari District and the need of depth in research in effect of climate change on aquaculture. He also stressed the ICAR’s motto of ‘Farmers First’ and importance of scientists collaborating directly with farmers to understand and fulfil their requirements in a better way. He appreciated the efforts of NICRA project team from Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture for organising the workshop at right time.

Dr. M. Muralidhar, Sr. Scientist, & Principal Inestigator, NICRA CIBA, Chennai presented the findings from  focus group discussion meetings held in Dharbarevu and kivedu villages in the district during 23-24th September 2011. In both the villages farmers expressed that seasonal variations, rise in temperature, heavy & uneven rainfall pattern and cyclone are the major CC events perceived. The impact of these events on aquaculture, possible solutions and time frame for solving the problems expressed by farmers were presented. He also explained the objective of the present workshop and the methodology that is going to be exercised for getting action plan for farmers, scientists/technical people and policy makers to increase the overall adaptation capacity of farmers in mitigating the impact of climate change.

 Dr. M. Kumaran, Sr. Scientist, CIBA has divided list of participants into three groups viz., farmers, technical and policy comprising mixed stakeholders in each group. CIBA scientists moderated the deliberations of different groups viz., Dr. M. Muralidhar for farmers group, Dr. J. Syama Dayal & Dr. M. Jayanthi for technical group and Sh. J. Ashok Kumar & Dr. M. Kumaran for policy group. In each group, adaptation measures were identified to reduce the impact of CC events and the responsible departments to act on the problem and the time limit. The salient adaptation measures identified in each group were presented in the open house and the unanimously endorsed measures from each group are given below.

 Technical group: (responsible agency: Research Institutes – ICAR/SAUs)

 Policy group (Government level) measures:

• Aquaculture should be treated on par with agriculture so that aqua farmers will get the benefits equally with agriculture farmers.
• As there is no special policy on supplying fresh water to aquaculture, at least in the lean seasons of agriculture water should be diverted exclusively for aquaculture.
• Uninterrupted power should be ensured between 9 PM to 9 AM for all the aqua-farms.
• Timely input and fertiliser supplies should be ensured for aqua industry.
• Fishery extension officers in sufficient number are required in the Department of Fisheries to provide services to farmers.
• Fertiliser requirements from aquaculture sector should be worked out by Department of Fisheries to avoid conflict with agriculture sector.
• Provision of subsidy for electricity to benefit the farmers.
• Establishment of broodstock facilities for the quality seed production
• Dredging of canals to provide quality water in sufficient quantity.
• Pre harvest test facilities to provide quality assurance system in aquaculture.
• Change in insurance policy for providing compensation to the farmers in the case of loss of stock due to extreme climatic events or disease problems.