{"id":14557,"date":"2026-08-20T13:21:57","date_gmt":"2026-08-20T13:21:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/?p=14557"},"modified":"2026-08-20T13:21:57","modified_gmt":"2026-08-20T13:21:57","slug":"two-kochi-postgraduates-turned-a-mud-crab-farming-problem-into-a-national-winning-startup-earning-a-rs-10-lakh-grant-for-a-bucket-system-that-can-help-farmers-raise-premium-crabs-inland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/?p=14557","title":{"rendered":"Two Kochi postgraduates turned a mud-crab farming problem into a national-winning startup, earning a Rs 10 lakh grant for a bucket system that can help farmers raise premium crabs inland"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"e9jwa\">\n<div class=\"vdo_embedd\">\n<div class=\"GfdvZ\">\n<section class=\"_bIDB  clearfix id-r-component leadmedia undefined undefined  E9tg9 \" style=\"top:0px\">\n<div class=\"_bIDB\" data-ua-type=\"1\" onclick=\"stpPgtnAndPrvntDefault(event)\">\n<div class=\"ypVvZ\">\n<div class=\"WGttI\"><img src=\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/thumb\/msid-133376154,imgsize-141592,width-400,height-225,resizemode-4\/arundas-n-h-and-aswathy-t-pc-ccari.jpg\" alt=\"Two Kochi postgraduates turned a mud-crab farming problem into a national-winning startup, earning a Rs 10 lakh grant for a bucket system that can help farmers raise premium crabs inland\" title=\"Arundas N H and Aswathy T (PC: ccari)\" decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"Ta7d_ img_cptn\"><span title=\"Arundas N H and Aswathy T (PC: ccari)\">Arundas N H and Aswathy T (PC: ccari)<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Two postgraduates from Kochi have made headlines after turning a stubborn challenge in mud-crab farming into a technology-driven startup. The two brilliant minds have now won national recognition along with a \u20b910 lakh innovation grant.<!-- --> Meet Arundas N H and Aswathy T, the two graduates of the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences (KUFOS). The men founded Kochi-based STEM Systems in 2022 to make premium mud-crab farming more accessible and affordable.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"3\"\/>Their venture emerged as a winner of the Fisheries Startup Grand Challenge 2.0, launched by the Department of Fisheries, Government of India.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"5\"\/><span class=\"strong\" data-ua-type=\"1\" onclick=\"stpPgtnAndPrvntDefault(event)\">Understanding the problem they wanted to solve<\/span><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"7\"\/>Those who don\u2019t know, mud-crab farming can be lucrative because large, high-quality crabs are highly priced in the market. <!-- -->However, conventional farming has several hurdles as mud crabs need suitable brackish-water conditions. Also their aggressive, territorial behaviour can lead to cannibalism when they are together.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"12\"\/>For farmers located away from coastal and estuarine areas, dependence on naturally available brackish water can make crab farming difficult. Now the two identified this issue and STEM Systems is here.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"14\"\/><span class=\"strong\" data-ua-type=\"1\" onclick=\"stpPgtnAndPrvntDefault(event)\">More about STEM<\/span><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"16\"\/>The startup developed a mud-crab bucket fattening system, a controlled method in which individual crabs can be reared separately. The approach is designed to reduce cannibalism and allow farmers to fatten crabs to premium market sizes.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"20\"\/><\/p>\n<div data-pos=\"0\" class=\"id-r-component iIpbx undefined  &#10;        \">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Untitled design - 2026-08-20T170628\" msid=\"133376176\" imgsize=\"178833\" resizemode=\"4\" width=\"\" title=\"Crab farming (Canva)\" placeholdersrc=\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/photo\/83033472.cms\" offsetvertical=\"0\" placeholdermsid=\"47529300\" type=\"thumb\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/photo\/imgsize-178833,msid-133376176\/untitled-design-2026-08-20t170628.jpg\" data-api-prerender=\"true\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Crab farming (Canva)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"22\"\/>In April 2024, ICAR-Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR-CCARI), in collaboration with STEM Systems and KUFOS, held a mud-crab farming demonstration in Kochi. There, they showed farmers the crab-fattening technology using specially designed FRP barrels. They also demonstrated practical methods for handling, feeding and marketing crabs.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"25\"\/><span class=\"strong\" data-ua-type=\"1\" onclick=\"stpPgtnAndPrvntDefault(event)\">Perfect for inland farming<\/span><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"27\"\/><\/p>\n<div data-pos=\"0\" class=\"id-r-component iIpbx undefined  &#10;        \">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Inland farming\" msid=\"133376238\" imgsize=\"195613\" resizemode=\"4\" width=\"\" title=\"Inland farming (Canva)\" placeholdersrc=\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/photo\/83033472.cms\" offsetvertical=\"0\" placeholdermsid=\"47529300\" type=\"thumb\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/photo\/imgsize-195613,msid-133376238\/inland-farming.jpg\" data-api-prerender=\"true\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Inland farming (Canva)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"29\"\/>One of the most fascinating parts of the startup&#8217;s approach is that it is not limited to farms naturally connected to the sea.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"31\"\/>STEM Systems has developed Aquamin, an artificial brackish-water mineral formulation for recreation of the mineral conditions needed for mud-crab fattening. As per the startup, this can allow farmers in inland locations, where natural saline or brackish water is unavailable.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"34\"\/>That could significantly widen the potential geography of crab farming. Instead of requiring a farmer to own or access coastal land, the system is designed around relatively compact units that can be adapted to different farming situations.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"36\"\/><span class=\"strong\" data-ua-type=\"1\" onclick=\"stpPgtnAndPrvntDefault(event)\">A student-led initiative to a farmer-focused business<\/span><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"38\"\/>STEM Systems has used demonstrations and training programmes to put the system in the hands of farmers. ICAR-CCARI records show that by October 2024, a series of capacity-building programmes had trained around 300 farmers, while approximately 120 farmers had started crab-fattening units across Kerala, Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"41\"\/><\/p>\n<div data-pos=\"0\" class=\"id-r-component iIpbx undefined  &#10;        \">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Untitled design - 2026-08-20T170921\" msid=\"133376296\" imgsize=\"141592\" resizemode=\"4\" width=\"\" title=\"Teaching Inland farming\" placeholdersrc=\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/photo\/83033472.cms\" offsetvertical=\"0\" placeholdermsid=\"47529300\" type=\"thumb\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/photo\/imgsize-141592,msid-133376296\/untitled-design-2026-08-20t170921.jpg\" data-api-prerender=\"true\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Teaching Inland farming<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"43\"\/>STEM Systems says it supplies mud-crab seed, provides mineral solutions and technical training, supports farmers during production and operates a buy-back arrangement for market-ready crabs. As per founders, the firm has also developed a market for jumbo mud crabs weighing over 1 kg.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"46\"\/>\u20b910 lakh national grant matters<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"48\"\/>The national recognition came through the Fisheries Startup Grand Challenge 2.0 and the grant matters. <!-- -->Winners also receive structured incubation and mentorship support through institutions including ICAR, the National Fisheries Development Board and other establishments associated with the Department of Fisheries.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"52\"\/><span class=\"strong\" data-ua-type=\"1\" onclick=\"stpPgtnAndPrvntDefault(event)\">What this could mean for farmers<\/span><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"54\"\/>Now this can address several challenges of mud-crab farmers.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"56\"\/><\/p>\n<div data-pos=\"0\" class=\"id-r-component iIpbx undefined  &#10;        \">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"ChatGPT Image Aug 20, 2026, 05_17_30 PM\" msid=\"133376329\" imgsize=\"151199\" resizemode=\"4\" width=\"\" title=\"AI-Image\" placeholdersrc=\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/photo\/83033472.cms\" offsetvertical=\"0\" placeholdermsid=\"47529300\" type=\"thumb\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/photo\/imgsize-151199,msid-133376329\/chatgpt-image-aug-20-2026-05-17-30-pm.jpg\" data-api-prerender=\"true\"\/><\/p>\n<p>AI-Image<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"58\"\/>If controlled systems can reliably reproduce the water conditions required by mud crabs and manage aggression, premium crab farming could potentially become accessible to farmers who do not own conventional coastal ponds.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"60\"\/>And that is what makes the journey of two postgraduates particularly interesting. It\u2019s a national-winning idea for a reason: how to raise valuable mud crabs more efficiently, even where the sea is far away.<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/timesofindia.indiatimes.com\/science\/two-kochi-postgraduates-turned-a-mud-crab-farming-problem-into-a-national-winning-startup-earning-a-10-lakh-grant-for-a-bucket-system-that-can-help-farmers-raise-premium-crabs-inland\/articleshow\/133375896.cms\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Arundas N H and Aswathy T (PC: ccari) Two postgraduates from Kochi have made headlines after turning a stubborn challenge in mud-crab farming into a technology-driven startup. The two brilliant minds have now won national recognition along with a \u20b910 lakh innovation grant. Meet Arundas N H and Aswathy T, the two graduates of the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":14558,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14557","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-31"],"magazineBlocksPostFeaturedMedia":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/arundas-n-h-and-aswathy-t-pc-ccari.jpg","medium":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/arundas-n-h-and-aswathy-t-pc-ccari.jpg","medium_large":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/arundas-n-h-and-aswathy-t-pc-ccari.jpg","large":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/arundas-n-h-and-aswathy-t-pc-ccari.jpg","1536x1536":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/arundas-n-h-and-aswathy-t-pc-ccari.jpg","2048x2048":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/arundas-n-h-and-aswathy-t-pc-ccari.jpg","blogsy-small":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/arundas-n-h-and-aswathy-t-pc-ccari.jpg","blogsy-small-tall":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/arundas-n-h-and-aswathy-t-pc-ccari.jpg","blogsy-small-square":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/arundas-n-h-and-aswathy-t-pc-ccari.jpg","blogsy-small-masonry":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/arundas-n-h-and-aswathy-t-pc-ccari.jpg","blogsy-medium":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/arundas-n-h-and-aswathy-t-pc-ccari.jpg","blogsy-medium-masonry":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/arundas-n-h-and-aswathy-t-pc-ccari.jpg","blogsy-large":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/arundas-n-h-and-aswathy-t-pc-ccari.jpg","blogsy-wide":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/arundas-n-h-and-aswathy-t-pc-ccari.jpg"},"magazineBlocksPostAuthor":{"name":"admin","avatar":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8709732a479614e7a8aa24d3eb1b239f30dc6d90c61464ed495001e7a469d856?s=96&d=mm&r=g"},"magazineBlocksPostCommentsNumber":"0","magazineBlocksPostExcerpt":"Arundas N H and Aswathy T (PC: ccari) Two postgraduates from Kochi have made headlines after turning a stubborn challenge in mud-crab farming into a technology-driven startup. The two brilliant minds have now won national recognition along with a \u20b910 lakh innovation grant. Meet Arundas N H and Aswathy T, the two graduates of the [&hellip;]","magazineBlocksPostCategories":["\u0b26\u0b47\u0b36 \u0b2c\u0b3f\u0b26\u0b47\u0b36"],"magazineBlocksPostViewCount":1,"magazineBlocksPostReadTime":3,"magazine_blocks_featured_image_url":{"full":["https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/arundas-n-h-and-aswathy-t-pc-ccari.jpg",400,225,false],"medium":["https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/arundas-n-h-and-aswathy-t-pc-ccari.jpg",300,169,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/arundas-n-h-and-aswathy-t-pc-ccari.jpg",150,84,false]},"magazine_blocks_author":{"display_name":"admin","author_link":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/author\/admin"},"magazine_blocks_comment":0,"magazine_blocks_author_image":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8709732a479614e7a8aa24d3eb1b239f30dc6d90c61464ed495001e7a469d856?s=96&d=mm&r=g","magazine_blocks_category":"<a href=\"#\" class=\"category-link category-link-31\">\u0b26\u0b47\u0b36 \u0b2c\u0b3f\u0b26\u0b47\u0b36<\/a>","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14557","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=14557"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14557\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/14558"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=14557"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=14557"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=14557"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}