August 3, 2010

Shrimp farming in Pakistan requires government support

Shrimp farming could not be developed in the country due to lack of basic infrastructure facilities and government support, according to Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR) scientist Dr Razia Sultana.

She said that basic facilities, like electricity, fresh water supply, seawater supply, transportation, telecommunication and security along the coastal areas should be provided.

The most important among all is the provision of a feeder canal to supply seawater to shrimp farms above the inter-tidal level, as only inter-tidal areas are suitable for extensive type of shrimp farming.

It is indispensable to provide the above mentioned facilities at two to three selected areas along the Sindh and Balochistan coast and allot the land above inter-tidal zone along both sides of a feeder canal (for supply of seawater) to shrimp farmers. These selected localities/areas might be considered as tax-free zone for some years.

With reference to the development of basic infrastructure, it is recommended that the government has to carry out a study and announce the land allotment policy involving re-allotment of land to prospective farmers in designated areas after development of infrastructure.