ICAR Demonstrates Fishmeal-Free Shrimp Farming With Comparable Production

India’s shrimp farmers may have a new option for reducing dependence on fishmeal-based feed. The ICAR-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (ICAR-CIBA), Chennai has successfully demonstrated shrimp production using a diet containing no fishmeal under its Super-Intensive Precision and Natural Shrimp Farming System (SIPNSF).

The 98-day trial was conducted at ICAR-CIBA’s model demonstration facility at the Muttukadu Experimental Station. Shrimp receiving the zero-fishmeal diet produced 2.30 tonnes, compared with 2.44 tonnes from shrimp receiving conventional feed. The results showed comparable production despite completely removing fishmeal from the diet.

Fishmeal has traditionally been an important protein source in aquaculture feed. Its continued use creates pressure on fish resources because large quantities of fish are processed into meal for livestock and aquaculture feed.

The ICAR-CIBA demonstration tested whether shrimp could maintain production without fishmeal. The difference between the two groups was relatively small, with the zero-fishmeal system producing 2.30 tonnes against 2.44 tonnes under the conventional feed system.

The results demonstrate that shrimp production does not necessarily have to depend entirely on fishmeal-based diets when suitable alternative feed formulations are available.

SIPNSF Supports Intensive Production

The trial used the Super-Intensive Precision and Natural Shrimp Farming System, developed for intensive shrimp production under Indian conditions.

The system combines controlled production conditions with precision management and natural farming principles. ICAR-CIBA reports productivity of around 4.5 to 5.0 kg per cubic metre, equivalent to approximately 45 to 50 tonnes per hectare per crop, within a 90 to 100-day culture period.

Such systems allow farmers to produce more shrimp from a limited area while maintaining closer control over water quality and other production conditions.

Potential to Reduce Dependence on Fishmeal

The successful demonstration could have wider implications for the aquaculture feed sector.

Replacing fishmeal with alternative protein sources can reduce pressure on marine resources and diversify the ingredients available to feed manufacturers. It could also help farmers manage feed costs if alternative ingredients become available at competitive prices.

The result is particularly relevant as India’s shrimp industry continues to expand and exporters seek production systems that meet environmental and sustainability expectations.

Opportunity for Shrimp Farmers

Around 30 stakeholders, including shrimp farmers, entrepreneurs, scientists, academics, students and feed millers, attended the harvest and evaluated the system.

ICAR-CIBA says the demonstration shows the technical feasibility of eliminating fishmeal without compromising production performance under the SIPNSF system. The institute describes the technology as scalable, farmer-friendly and suited to more sustainable shrimp production.

For farmers, the next question will be the cost of zero-fishmeal feed compared with conventional diets and whether similar production can be achieved under commercial farm conditions.

A New Direction for Indian Aquaculture

The demonstration adds another option for reducing the environmental pressure associated with aquaculture feed production.

If the technology performs consistently across commercial farms, fishmeal-free diets could help shrimp producers reduce dependence on marine-derived protein while maintaining production. The ICAR-CIBA results provide an early demonstration that intensive shrimp farming can combine high productivity with alternative feed strategies.

For India’s growing aquaculture industry, developing feeds that use fewer marine resources could become an important part of building more sustainable and economically viable shrimp farming systems.