May 26, 2006

Indian shrimp businesses struggle to stay afloat

Aquaculture was once touted as the way to riches for India's coastal farmers and many took the bait. Now, badly battered by debts, shell-shocked farmers are moving back to the safety of the land.

Of the 120,000 farmers engaged in aquaculture 2000, only 85,000 are left, resulting in shrimp production falling from 100,000 tonnes to 76,000 tonnes during the period.

India's former position as the top shrimp producing country has also fallen now to the seventh.

Farmers laid the blame on the government, responsible for 80 percent of the production, for failing to provide quality seed, infrastructure and marketing facilities.

However, the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) said the poor performance was more likely due to the lack of awareness of health issues and poor marketing.