The Prawn Farmers Federation of India (PFFI), ICAR–Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (ICAR–CIBA), and the Shrimp Health Foundation (SHF) have signed a tripartite addendum to the existing Memorandum of Understanding for the Collaborative Shrimp Disease Investigation Program (CoSDIP).
The original MoU between PFFI and ICAR–CIBA was signed on 29 July 2025 to carry out collaborative research on running mortalities associated with white muscle and white feces syndrome in shrimp farms of Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu, India.
With the incorporation of the Shrimp Health Foundation as a Section 8 not-for-profit company, PFFI has now formally brought SHF within the existing collaboration framework. The addendum was signed in the presence of Dr. S. Kandan, Director, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Aquaculture (RGCA).
Under the revised arrangement, PFFI will continue to lead and coordinate the farmer-led field program, while SHF will provide a structured institutional platform to support, sustain and scale CoSDIP and related shrimp health initiatives.
CoSDIP was initiated by PFFI as a farmer-led, science-supported response to repeated crop losses and unresolved shrimp health challenges in Indian farming regions. The program has been supported by ICAR–CIBA, MPEDA–RGCA, industry stakeholders, and scientific collaborators.
The program is currently in its validation phase. Possible pathogen involvement has been indicated; further validation work is ongoing; firm conclusions will follow completion of the current investigation phase.
Dr. Kuldeep K. Lal, Director, ICAR–CIBA, has played a decisive enabling role in helping CoSDIP move quickly from a farmer-led concern to a structured scientific collaboration. The CoSDIP / Shrimp Health Foundation team also hosted him for lunch ahead of his retirement on 30 June, acknowledging his support from the inception of the program.
This institutional step strengthens the continuity, transparency and long-term structure of CoSDIP as India continues to build farmer-led, science-supported models for shrimp health investigation.
The Collaborative Shrimp Disease Investigation Program (CoSDIP) was presented today at Seafood Expo Bharat 2026, the flagship seafood event organised by the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA).
A model inclusive initiative in disease management.
The core message was simple: diseases have been the single biggest reason for instability in shrimp-producing countries, and unless we address disease problems seriously, farming cannot remain predictable, profitable or sustainable for farmers.
CoSDIP was presented as a farmer-led, science-supported and industry-backed model developed by the Prawn Farmers Federation of India (PFFI), in collaboration with ICAR–Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (ICAR–CIBA), MPEDA–Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Aquaculture (MPEDA–RGCA), and other partners.
The Shrimp Health Foundation was also presented as the institutional platform established by PFFI to support and sustain such collaborative shrimp health initiatives for the future.
