VIKAS.P.A, Ph.D

Subject Matter Specialist-Fisheries ICAR KRISHI VIGYAN KENDRA (Ernakulam), CMFRI

Mob: 9447993980  (mob)

E-mail: vikaspattath@gmail.com

Educational Qualification

• PhD (Bioscience) from Marine Biotechnology Division of ICAR-CMFRI, Kochi
• MSc (Applied Fisheriesand Aquaculture) from St Albert’s College, MG University,Kerala with 3rd rank in 2005
• Bachelor’s degree (BSc Botany) from St Thomas College, Thrissur, in 2002`
• Qualified for the National Eligibility Test(NET)by the Indian Council of Agriculture  Research in the professional subject(Fisheries Science) in 2010

Fieldof Specialization

• Cage Aquaculture & Biofloc Systems
• Seed Production & Selective Breeding
• Fish Disease Management
• Fish Nutrition & Feed Formulation
• Sustainable Aquaculture Practices
• Integrated Paddy-Fish Farming
• Genetic & Biochemical Research in Aquaculture
• Community-Based Aquaculture Initiatives

Awards and Recognitions

• Received the Jawaharlal Nehru Award for Outstanding Doctoral Thesis Research from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in 2014.
• Best Paper Award for presenting “Sustainable Intensification of Food Production from Pokkali Farming System through Cage Farming” at the 5th International Symposium on Cage Aquaculture in Asia (CAA5), 2015.
• Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research (SCOR) Award, University of Delaware, USA, for participation in a conference in Scotland, UK.
• International Student Travel Award from The Company of Biologists Ltd, Cambridge, UK.
• Special Grant by EGIDE, France, to present a paper at the International Symposium ISDA 2010, Montpellier, France.
• Sir Ratan Tata Trust International Travel Award for research presentations.
• International Travel Fellowship awarded by the Science and Engineering Research Board, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, for attending the Global Conference at FAO, Rome, Italy.
• Netherlands Fellowship for the International Course on Responsible Aquaculture Development for Food Security and Economic Progress, conducted by Wageningen UR, 2016.

Achievements

• Established 15 satellite Pearlspot seed production units in Ernakulam.
• Established 2 satellite fresh water fish seed fattening units in Ernakulam.
• Formulated, branded and marketed Pearlspot fish feed
• Facilitated the establishment of the Fish Breeders Association.
• Developed Aqua task force– trained manpower to assist fish farmers
• Popularized cage fish culture and facilitated the establishment of 550 units in Ernakulam.
• Organized Farm shoppe at CMFRI, Kochi for branding and selling farmer’s produce
• Promoted Grass Carp-mediated aquatic weed management initiatives in freshwater ponds.
• Implemented Pokkali paddy-fish-shrimp culture to enhance income from Pokkali farms.
• Facilitated the establishment of Pokkali Farmer Producer Company Limited.
• Registered the Jaiva Pokkali trademark.
• Developed technology for live fish vending.
• Introduced Farm Gate Marketing of fresh fish.
• Developed organic product Bloom plus to enhance algal blooming in fish ponds
• Standardised process for Sea fish extract production for plant applications.
• Popularized Microbial cultures to enhance pond water quality
• Developed a cage fish farming calendar to to mitigate flood-related risks

Work Experience

2005-2007

Project fellow in the New Zealand Agency for International Development (NZAID) funded project “Introduction of Cage Fish Culture for the Poverty Alleviation of Fishers of Kerala, India” at Kottappuram Integrated Development Society (KIDS), Thrissur, Kerala.

2007

• ResearchAssistantintheproject“CagecultureofAsianseabass(Latescalcarifer) in Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Aquaculture(RGCA), Karaikkal, Pondicherry, India

2007 – 2010

•     Senior Research Fellow in a DBT-funded project “Development of Genetically Improved Strains of Artemia, Brine Shrimp Using Quantitative and Molecular Genetic tools,” at Marine Biotechnology Division of Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Kochi

2010  – 2011

• Contractual, Technical Assistant in the Indian Council of Agricultural Research(ICARP) project on “Fish feeds.”

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

Research Articles

• Vikas, P. A., Ebeneezar, Sanal, &Subramannian, Shinoj (2024). High-Density Farming of Striped Snakehead Channa Striata (Bloch, 1793) in Artificial Tanks. Journal of Krishi Vigyan, 12 (3), 544-549.
• Vikas, P. A. &Subramannian, Shinoj (2024). Farming of Peneaus vannamei in Biofloc System: A Participatory Farmer Experiment. Fishery Technology, 61, 77-81.
• Vikas, P. A. &Subramannian, Shinoj (2023). Multistakeholder partnership in implementing cage fish culture as a livelihood venture for rural youth: A case study in Kerala State, South India. Indian Journal of Fisheries, 70 (4), 173-177.
• Vikas, P. A. &Subramannian, Shinoj (2022). Seed production of Pearlspot (Etroplussuratensis) in natural ponds. Journal of Applied Aquaculture, 1-8.
• Vikas, P. A. &Subramannian, Shinoj (2022). Invasive black mussel Mytella strigata biofouling in brackish water cage fish farms. Journal of Applied Aquaculture, 1-8.
• Vikas, P. A. &Subramannian, Shinoj (2022). Evaluation of Anabas testudineus Farming in Natural Ponds and Impact on Subsequent Crop. Indian Journal of Ecology, 49 (6), 2160-2162.
• Vikas, P. A., Thomas, P. C., Sajesh Kumar, N. K., Chakraborty, Kajal, Sanil, N. K., & Vijayan, K. K. (2024). Realtime expression of sHSPs and estimation of Trehalose as a Cyst Quality Index in Artemia. Ecology, Environment and Conservation, 30 (1), 329-333.
• Vikas, P. A., Chakraborty, Kajal, Sajesh Kumar, N. K., Thomas, P. C., Sanil, N. K., & Vijayan, K. K. (2014). Quality of Six Indian Populations of Artemia franciscana for Larval Finfish Culture. Journal of Applied Aquaculture, 26, 271-291.
• Vikas, P. A., Thomas, P. C., Sajesh Kumar, N. K., Chakraborty, Kajal, Sanil, N. K., & Vijayan, K. K. (2016). Effect of salinity stress on biochemical constituents and ArHsp22 gene expression in Artemia franciscana. Indian Journal of Fisheries, 61 (3), 150-156.
• Vikas, P. A., Sajesh Kumar, N. K., Thomas, P. C., Sanil, N. K., Jayakumar, R., & Vijayan, K. K. (2024). Selective Breeding Approach to Study the Nauplii Size Variations in Artemia. Fishery Technology, 61 (2), 105-110.
• Vikas, P. A., Sajesh Kumar, N. K., Thomas, P. C., Chakraborty, Kajal, Jayasankar, J., & Vijayan, K. K. (2014). Quantitative genetic manipulation for nauplii size reduction of Artemia franciscana Kellogg, 1906 from Indian salinas and correlated changes in the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) profile. Indian Journal of Fisheries, 61 (3), 69-73.
• Vikas, P. A., Sajesh Kumar, N. K., Thomas, P. C., Chakraborty, Kajal, & Vijayan, K. K. (2012). Aquaculture-related invasion of the exotic Artemia franciscana and displacement of the autochthonous Artemia populations from the hypersaline habitats of India. Hydrobiologia, 684, 129-142.
• Sayooj, P., Vijayagopal, P., Vikas, P. A., Nair, V. Anusree, & Vijayan, K. K. (2024). Farm evaluation of formulated diets on the growth and body composition of Etroplus suratensis reared in cages in low-saline coastal ponds. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of India, 66 (1), 72-76.
• Sanil, N. K., Vikas, P. A., Retheesh, T. B., George, K. C., & Vijayan, K. K. (2009). Mortalities caused by the crustacean isopod, Cirolana fluviatilis, in tropical, cage-cultured Asian seabass, Lates calcarifer: a case study from the southwest coast of India. Aquaculture Research, 40, 1626-1633.

Popular Articles

• Vikas, P A (2024). Kaalanchikrishi shuddhajalathil saadhyamo. Karshakasree, 30 (1). p. 78.
• Vikas, P A (2024). Malsyame jeevanode vilkkam. Karshakasree, 30 (2). p. 77.
• Vikas, P A (2024). Karimeeninu vrinangal. Karshakasree, 30 (4).
• Vikas, P A (2024). Alankaramalsyangalil velvet rogamm. Karshakasree, 30 (5). p. 73.
• Vikas, P A and Subramannian, Shinoj (2023). Petaykkunna meen pettivandiyil. Karshakasree, 29 (5).
• Vikas, P A (2022). Meen kulathile mazhakkala paricharanam. Karshakasree, 28 (7).
• Vikas, P A (2022). Vanamiye tankil valartham. Karshakasree, 28 (10).
• Vikas, P A (2022). Malsyakulathil nirammattavum durgandhavum. Karshakasree, 28 (11). p. 73.
• Vikas, P A (2021). Malsyakulathil pachappad. Karshakasree. p. 79.
• Vikas, P A (2021). Hightech kulathilirangumbol. Karshakasree. pp. 80-85.
• Vikas, P A (2021). Malsyathetta theranjedukkumbol. Karshakasree, 27 (12). p. 88.
• Vikas, P A (2019). Karimeen vithuthpadanam. Keralakarshakan. pp. 32-33.
• Vikas, P A & Shinoj Subramannian. (2018). Malsyakarshakarkku vanna nashtam. Keralakarshakan. p. 14.
• Vikas, P A & Shinoj Subramannian(2018). Tilappiyakku virus bheeshani. Karshakasree.
• Vikas, P A & Shinoj Subramannian(2013). Koodukal meeninu veedukal. Karshakasree. pp. 74-75.
• Vikas, P A & Shinoj Subramannian (2013). Carp malsyakrishi reethikalum sadhyathakalum. Keralakarshakan. pp. 56-59.
• Vikas, P A & Shinoj Subramannian (2012). Karimeen krishi sadhyathakal. Keralakarshakan, 57 (12). pp. 64-65.
• Vikas, P A  & Shinoj Subramannian (2012). Paramadakalilum chemmeen kettukalilum karimeen kood malsya krishi. Pearl Spot – A Handbook. pp. 36-44.

Leaflet

• Vikas, P A., &Subramannian, Shinoj. (2017). Cage Culture, Farm Gate Markets and Branding- to augment income from Pokkali Paddy-Prawn Farming Systems. Krishi Vigyan Kendra.
• Vikas, P A., &Subramannian, Shinoj. (2020). Traditional Farmer Turned Fish Seed Entrepreneur and Income Increased Many Folds. Krishi Vigyan Kendra.
• Vikas, P A., &Subramannian, Shinoj. (2020). Machhli Santati Udyami ke Roop Mein Paramparagat Kisan ka Parivartan aur Aay Mein Bahuguni Vriddhi. Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Kochi.

Brochure

• Vikas, P A., &Subramannian, Shinoj. (2019). KarimeenVithuthpadanam. Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Kochi.
• Vikas, P A., &Subramannian, Shinoj. (2019). Karimeen Krishi. Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Kochi.
• Vipinkumar, V P., Aswathy, N., Sreelatha, P., Subramannian, Shinoj, Gills, Reshma., Anuja, A R., Ebeneezar, Sanal, & Vikas, P A., Padua, Shelton, Salini, K P., & Athira, P V. (2021). Meen/Chemmeen Achaar. ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Kochi.

Book Chapter

• Vikas, P A., &Subramannian, Shinoj. (2019). Pokkali PunarujeevanathinuPuthiya Krishi Reethi. ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Kochi.
• Vikas, P A., Zacharia, P U., &Subramannian, Shinoj. (2013). Pokkali PunarujeevanathinuPuthiya Krishi Reethi. ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Kochi.
• Vikas, P A., & Shinoj Subramannian. (2016). Gift Tilapia Krishi. ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Kochi.

Edited Book

• Subramannian, Shinoj., & Vikas, P A., & Anjelo, F Pushparaj. (2015). SambrambakathwaVikasanaParipadi: KalavasthaAthijevanaMalsyakrishi – 2015. CMFRI – NICRA Publication (4). ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Kochi. ISBN 97893-82263-09-8.
• Vipinkumar, V P., Swathi Lekshmi, P S., Narayanakumar, R., Ramachandran, C., Shyam, S Salim, Johnson, B., Aswathy, N., Gills, Reshma, Anuja, A R., Subramannian, Shinoj, Vikas, P A., & Athira, P V. (2022). Startups in Fisheries: A Compendium of Business Plans of Microenterprises of SHGs. ICAR- Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Kochi. ISBN 978-93-82263-57-9.
• Vikas, P A., Subramannian, Shinoj, & Hima Vijayan, I P., Vasha, T V. (2016). KooduMalsyakrishi (PathivayiChodikkunnaChodyangalumAvaykkullaUtharangalum). ICAR – Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Kochi. ISBN 978-93-82263-13-5.

Radio Talk

• Vikas, P A. (2024). MazhakalaMalsyakrishiyilShradhikendaKaryangal.
• Vikas, P A. (2024). NattarMalsyakrishi: Vayalum Veedum.
• Vikas, P A. (2023). KarimeenKrishiyumRoganivaranamargangalum.
• Vikas, P A. (2023). Kerala State Fish: Karimeen.
• Vikas, P A. (2023). ThiruthaMalsyakrishikkuAnuyojyamayaKalavasthayumShasthreeya Krishi Reethikalum.
• Vikas, P A. (2023). MazhakalamMalsyathettathilShradhikendaKaryangal.
• Vikas, P A. (2023). MilletumMeenum.

TV Programme

• Vikas, P A., &Subramannian, Shinoj., Binoop, C S., & Mohan, Jimosh. (2023). Pearlspot Seed Production, Branding, and Marketing.
• Vikas, P A., &Subramannian, Shinoj., Binoop, C S., & Mohan, Jimosh. (2023). Pearlspot Seed Production through Farmer Collectives: A Success Story.
• Vikas, P A., &Subramannian, Shinoj., Binoop, C S. (2023). Scientific Milk Fish Farming in Brackish Water Ponds.
• Vikas, P A., &Subramannian, Shinoj., Binoop, C S. (2023). Scientific Mullet Farming in Brackishwater Ponds.
• Vikas, P A., &Subramannian, Shinoj., Binoop, C S. (2023). Technology of Protecting Ponds from Algae Growth by Employing Grass Carp Fish.
• Vipinkumar, V P., & Gills, Reshma, Anuja, A R., Subramannian, Shinoj, Vikas, P A., Aswathy, N., Ramachandran, C., Narayanakumar, R., & Gopalakrishnan, A. (2022). Fish Cage Farming Success Story of Edavanakkad and Manjanakkad.
• Vipinkumar, V P., Anuja, A R., Gills, Reshma, Subramannian, Shinoj, Vikas, P A., Aswathy, N., Ramachandran, C., Narayanakumar, R., Athira, P V., & Gopalakrishnan, A. (2022). VijayathilekkuEthirunnaEnippadikal: KarimeenVithuthpadanathiludeVallarpadathe Swayam ShaktheekaranaSanghagatha.

Conference Proceedings

• Vikas, P A., &Subramannian, Shinoj, Bose, John, & Zacharia, P U. (2018). Rejuvenation of the Traditional Pokkali Farming System through Integrated Paddy-Shrimp Fin Fish Farming. In Winter School on Climate Change Impacts and Resilient Options for Indian Marine Fisheries, 8-29 November 2018, Kochi.
• Vikas, P A., Retheesh, T B., & George, Sunny, Sanil, N K., & Vijayan, K K. (2010). Innovative “Microsate” Cage Culture Systems for Livelihood and Nutritional Security: A Participatory Approach. In Innovation and Sustainable Development in Agriculture and Food, 28 June – 1 July 2010, Montpellier, France.
• Vikas, P A., Retheesh, T B., &Panketh, Johnson. (2009). Kerala Mein Seabass Lates Calcarifer ka Kaarigari Pinjara Palan. In Pinjara Mein Machhli Palan – Vishesh Prakashan, 25-26 August 2009, CMFRI Kochi.