Central Institute of Brackish Water Aquaculture

What Central Institute of Brackish Water Aquaculture does

ICAR-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (CIBA) is a government research institute established on 1 April 1987 by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India. It functions as the nodal agency for the development of brackishwater aquaculture in the country, with headquarters in Chennai (Tamil Nadu) and operational field stations at Muttukadu and Kovalam (Tamil Nadu), Kakdwip (West Bengal), and Navsari (Gujarat). Its scientific work is organised across four divisions — Crustacean Culture, Finfish Culture, Nutrition, Genetics and Biotechnology, and Aquatic Animal Health and Environment — covering species such as Penaeus vannamei, Penaeus monodon, Penaeus indicus, Lates calcarifer, Scylla serrata and various milkfish.

CIBA's technology portfolio includes the patented CIBA EHP Cura I phytobiotic for EHP management in shrimp, India's first Blue Swimmer Crab Farming Technology based on hatchery-produced seed and formulated feed, portable LAMP-based diagnostics for on-site WSSV detection, value-added fish-waste products (CIBA Plankton Plus and Horti Plus), and reference whole-genome sequences for grey mullet and Indicus shrimp. It also operates the CIBA Mobile App, training programmes, and an affiliated scholarly society (SCAFi). The institute holds ISO certification (quality management) and NABL accreditation for testing laboratories.

CIBA's business model is primarily government-funded through ICAR budgetary allocations, with ancillary commercial activity from direct seed and feed sales to farmers, technology licensing (e.g. CIBA EHP Cura I), paid training programmes, and implementation of central schemes such as PMMSY and SC-SP/STC welfare programmes. Its served customer base spans commercial shrimp and finfish farmers, coastal and tribal communities seeking livelihood support, and government and regulatory bodies (Department of Fisheries, Coastal Aquaculture Authority, State Fisheries Departments) requiring policy and technical inputs. Distribution is largely direct extension from regional centres, supplemented by scheme-based technology deployment and licensing to commercial partners.

Name

Central Institute of Brackish Water Aquaculture

Legal name

ICAR-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture

Website

https://ciba.res.in

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

ICAR-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture is India's nodal government research body developing brackishwater aquaculture technologies for shrimp, finfish, and crab species. It serves farmers, coastal communities, and government bodies through patented diagnostics, feed solutions, and farming systems.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aquaculture Research Services

NAICS

Aquaculture (11251), Finfish Farming and Fish Hatcheries (112511), Aquaculture (1125), Animal Production and Aquaculture (112), Seafood Product Preparation and Packaging (3117)

SIC

Agricultural Prod-Livestock & Animal Specialties (200), Food And Kindred Products (2000)

akta.pro primary industry

Aquaculture Processing & On-Farm Value-Add (primary handling, icing, packing) (AFAEAAAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Hatchery Equipment, Systems & Technology (RAS Hatcheries, Incubation, Grading, Transport Systems) (AFAEAKAL), Shrimp & Prawn Feed (AFADADAB), Aquaculture & Fish Health Services (AFAEANAE), Aquaculture Health, Biosecurity & Veterinary Services (AFAEAAAK), Aquaculture Farm Services & Operations Support (net cleaning, diving, grading, harvesting) (AFAEAAAM)

Keywords

• Brackishwater aquaculture research
• Shrimp disease diagnostics
• Aquaculture seed production
• Fish feed formulations
• Aquaculture training programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Chennai

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

ICAR-CIBA conducts research and development in brackishwater aquaculture covering shrimp, finfish and crab species. The institute delivers patented disease management products (CIBA EHP Cura I), diagnostic technologies (portable LAMP-based WSSV detection), hatchery-produced quality seed, formulated feeds, fish-waste-derived value-added products (CIBA Plankton Plus, Horti Plus), and structured farmer training and extension programs for sustainable brackishwater farming.

Product overview

ICAR-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (CIBA) operates as India's nodal research institute under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Ministry of Agriculture. The institute offers a portfolio of aquaculture technologies, patented products, and services including CIBA EHP Cura I (phytobiotic for shrimp disease management), Blue Swimmer Crab Farming Technology, fish seed and feed sales, portable LAMP-based diagnostics, and the CIBA Mobile App for farmer advisories. The institute also produces CIBA Plankton Plus and Horti Plus through its fish waste processing technology. Training programs and publications complement the technology transfer ecosystem.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SCAFi (Society for Coastal Aquaculture and Fisheries): Society for Coastal Aquaculture and Fisheries - promotes scholarly interaction on scientific aquaculture among multi-stakeholders. Inaugurated on 26th August 2017.

Products and services

• CIBA EHP Cura I Patented phytobiotic solution for control and treatment of Ecytonucleospora hepatopenaei (EHP) infection in shrimp aquaculture, available for commercial licensing to industry partners.
• Blue Swimmer Crab Farming Technology Complete hatchery-to-pond technology package for commercial Blue Swimmer Crab (Portunus pelagicus) farming, including seed production protocol and formulated feed.
• Portable LAMP-based WSSV Detection Technology Portable diagnostic technology combining DNA extraction with loop-mediated isothermal amplification for rapid on-site detection of White Spot Syndrome Virus in shrimp aquaculture operations.
• Fish Seed and Feed Sales Direct sale of quality fish seed and CIBA-formulated feed produced at the institute's hatchery and feed mill to brackishwater aquaculture farmers.
• Aquaculture Training Programs Structured capacity-building and hands-on training programs on shrimp disease diagnostics, disease management and brackishwater aquaculture technologies, delivered to farmers, students and fisheries officials.
• CIBA Plankton Plus Value-added aquaculture feed supplement produced from fish trimmings sourced from over 40 landing centres via CIBA's fish waste processing technology.
• Horti Plus Value-added horticultural product derived from fish trimmings/waste, intended for agricultural applications.
• CIBA Mobile App Mobile application delivering shrimp farming guidance, advisories and best management practice recommendations to aquaculture farmers.

Quantifiable outcome

• India's first blue swimmer crab farming technology developed and demonstrated
• +3 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability5 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Bio-Mine Innovations Pvt. Ltd.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2026ICAR-CIBA signed MoU with Bio-Mine Innovations Pvt. Ltd. for collaborative research on novel insect protein in aquafeeds. The partnership focuses on developing sustainable protein sources for aquaculture nutrition.
• Coastal Aquaculture Authority (CAA), Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Govt. of IndiacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026MoU signed between Coastal Aquaculture Authority, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India and ICAR-CIBA for Knowledge Partnership and Technical Collaboration. The partnership aims to strengthen technical cooperation in brackishwater aquaculture development.
• Society of Coastal Aquaculture and Fisheries (SCAFi)coreOthersSCAFi was inaugurated on 26th August 2017. Objective of SCAFi is to promote scholarly interaction on scientific aquaculture among multi stakeholders. ICAR-CIBA provides logistic support for functioning of the society.
• Muttukadu Experimental Station (MES) CollaborationsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudent visits and educational collaborations with universities and colleges for training and research exposure at Muttukadu Experimental Station.

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Skretting (Nutreco): Global aquaculture feed major with advanced R&D in shrimp and fish nutrition. Comparable as a commercial-scale aquafeed R&D and supplier whose commercial feed formulations overlap with CIBA's formulated feed research.
• Avanti Feeds: India's largest shrimp feed manufacturer with significant in-house R&D on aquafeed formulations and shrimp health. Comparable as a domestic aquaculture input company whose commercial feed and health products compete with CIBA's formulated feed and phytobiotic offerings.
• WorldFish: International non-profit aquaculture and fisheries research organization. Comparable as a globally operating aquaculture R&D body that publishes breeding, genetics and aquaculture systems research relevant to India's brackishwater species.
• National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB): Indian government body funding fisheries development across the country. Comparable as a fellow public-sector fisheries institution that channels government scheme funding (e.g., PMMSY) that CIBA helps deploy for aquaculture technology transfer.
• Charoen Pokphand Foods (CP Foods): Global integrated aquaculture major with significant shrimp breeding, feed and farming operations. Comparable as a large incumbent operating across the aquaculture value chain that competes for technology leadership in shrimp genetics and disease management.

Direct peers

• Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI): Sister ICAR institute under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research focused on marine fisheries research. Highly comparable as a fellow government R&D body addressing Indian coastal and marine aquaculture, with overlapping disease, genetics and species research mandates.
• Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT): ICAR sister institute focused on fish processing technology, quality assurance and post-harvest fisheries R&D. Comparable as a government fisheries R&D institute operating under the same parent body with adjacent aquaculture and seafood processing mandates.
• Coastal Aquaculture Authority (CAA): Statutory regulator for coastal aquaculture in India under the Ministry of Fisheries. Comparable as a closely partnered Indian government body governing brackishwater aquaculture policy and licensing, with overlapping mandates on shrimp farming standards.

Regional players

• Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia-Pacific (NACA): Inter-governmental organization supporting sustainable aquaculture development across Asia-Pacific. Comparable as a regional aquaculture research and policy coordination body with member governments including India.

Emerging players

• AquaBounty Technologies: Aquaculture biotechnology company focused on genetically improved fish. Comparable as an aquaculture biotech player that, like CIBA's genomic and breeding programs, applies molecular biology to improve commercial aquaculture performance.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/icar.ciba
• YouTubeyoutube.com/icarciba
• Facebookfacebook.com/icarciba
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/central-institute-of-brackish-water-aquaculture

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Central Institute of Brackish Water Aquaculture