CIFA Genetically improved giant freshwater prawn (CIFA-GI Scampi-G17)

Background

The giant freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, commonly known as scampi, is one of the most important freshwater prawn species cultured extensively in several tropical and subtropical countries. It possesses several desirable characteristics as an aquaculture species, including rapid growth, compatibility with freshwater fishes such as carps, hardy nature, high market value, and strong demand in both domestic and international markets. However, the use of poorly managed broodstock and inadequate hatchery management practices has resulted in the production of poor-quality scampi seed in the country. Consequently, slow growth and increased susceptibility to diseases have adversely affected productivity, resulting in lower yields and economic losses to scampi farmers.

To ensure the availability of quality broodstock and seed, ICAR-CIFA initiated a selective breeding programme for giant freshwater prawn with the objective of developing a genetically improved variety with enhanced growth potential. The programme was initiated in 2007, and by 2025, the 15^th generation of fast-growing scampi had been developed through systematic selection. The improved strain was registered as CIFA-GI Scampi® in 2020.

The ongoing selective breeding programme aims to ensure the sustained availability of genetically superior broodstock for the production of high-quality seed. This initiative is meant to enhance scampi productivity, and growth performance, and ultimately increase production and profitability for scampi farmers across the country.

Technology Details

The performance of the developed improved variety has been evaluated under farmers’ field conditions in several states, including Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal, and Assam. The results have been highly encouraging, with the improved scampi demonstrating 50-60% higher production compared to conventional scampi, thereby highlighting its potential to substantially enhance productivity and profitability in scampi farming. The genetically improved giant freshwater prawn (CIFA-GI Scampi^®) is an environmentally sustainable and indigenous species with strong demand in both domestic and international markets. Its rapid growth, compatibility with other species in polyculture systems, euryhaline nature, and hardy characteristics make it highly attractive to farmers. In recent years, the Union and various State Governments have introduced several schemes and initiatives to promote the development of this species and encourage its adoption among farmers. Initiatives such as certification of hatcheries for the production and supply of quality seed and promotion of cluster-based scampi farming are among the major interventions being actively pursued by the Government.

The commercialization and large-scale dissemination of the improved CIFA-GI Scampi® variety have the potential to significantly enhance productivity, farm profitability, and the overall competitiveness of the scampi sector, thereby contributing to a transformation of the aquaculture sector in the years to come.