January 4, 2024

India instructs states to look for saline land resources suitable for developing aquaculture

The government of India on January 3 directed the governments of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh to take steps to tap potential saline land resources not suitable for farming purposes for promoting aquaculture.

In a virtual review meeting, Fisheries Secretary Abhilaksh Likhi said the states should focus on adopting shrimp aquaculture in 25 identified districts to generate employment and livelihood. They should also include project proposals for the development of their saline affected areas in an Annual Action Plan for 2025 for requisite support under a central scheme.

"Saline affected areas are not suitable for agriculture. However, there is huge potential to convert these saline affected areas into aquaculture areas," an official statement said.

It was agreed in the meeting that there are a number of challenges for saline land aquaculture in the states. To address these challenges, it was suggested that an awareness campaign may be organised to promote shrimp consumption in the northern part of India with the help of research body ICAR, State Fisheries Departments and other agencies.

It was also recommended that a National Level Committee may be constituted to review the existing guidelines for culture of white shrimp in freshwater/inland farms, prepare a roadmap for strengthening the existing facilities at ICAR-CIFE, Rohtak and prepare strategies for sustainable development of saline aquaculture in the north Indian states.

- Business Standard