IMAQulate project stakeholder engagement and future planning in India
The IMAQulate project team recently returned from a trip to Andhra Pradesh, India, where they met with stakeholders to discuss the initiation of a probiotics trial. Dr Francis Murray and Dr Mahmoud Eltholth of the Institute of Aquaculture were joined by project partners Professor Kenton Morgan (University of Liverpool) and Dr Toms Josef (Central Institute of Fisheries Technology). The team visited academic institutions, fish processors, feed producers, farmers and other stakeholders to discuss the IMAQulate project, stakeholder activities and potential collaberations.
Prof Kenton Morgan, Dr Toms Josef and Dr Mahmoud Eltholth visited probiotics producing company Synergy Biotechnologies. They met Dr NS Allada, Mr NK Lathker and Mr GV Babu Rao to discuss different aspects of the project and potential collaborations.
Prof Kenton Morgan, Dr Toms Josef and Dr Mahmoud Eltholth visited DEVI Fisheries Limited shrimp processing plant. Different sectors of the processing plant were visited. The inputs, outputs of the processing plant and the different certification schemes were discussed with the production manager and the head of the quality assurance.
Dr Francis Murray, Prof Kenton Morgan, Dr Toms Josef and Dr Mahmoud Eltholth visited Pithapur Rajah's College and meet Principal Dr Krishna Chappidi. Different aspects of IMAQulate project and potential areas of collaborations were discussed with Dr Krishna. Post graduates and final year students were interviewed to be enumerators for the upcoming shrimp health survey in Andhra Pradesh. Dr Francis Murray and Prof Kenton Morgan gave introductory talks about the project.
Dr Francis Murray, Dr Toms Josef, Dr Mahmoud Eltholth and Dr Hazrat Ali visited Fisheries Polytechnics College, Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University, and meet Principal Prof Krishna Prasad. Different aspects of IMAQulate project and potential areas of collaborations were discussed with Prof Krishna. Dr Francis Murray gave presentation about the project.
The research team visited one of the biggest aquatic feed producers, Avanti Feeds Ltd. Dr Francis Murray, Prof Kenton Morgan, Dr Toms Josef, Dr Mahmoud Eltholth and Dr Hazrat Ali met K. Ranga Reddy, product manager and S. Mohanty, technical and marketing manager.
Dr Francis Murray, Dr Toms Josef, Dr Mahmoud Eltholth and Dr Hazrat Ali visited Ananda Group. The IMAQulate research team visited different facilities at Ananda Group, Shrimp hatchery, farm, processing plant, laboratory, research facility and the probiotic factory.
Field visits (Shrimp farms, hatcheries and aquaculture suppliers)
During the last visit to India, IMAQulate research team visited shrimp hatcheries, farms and aquaculture suppliers.