July 12, 2007

India's shrimp industry urged to develop domestic market

Calls were made to urge India's National Fisheries Board (NFB) to develop its domestic shrimp market after prices of export shrimp slumped in recent months.

At a meeting Tuesday ( Jul 10) convened by Ayyappan, Deputy Director-General, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), and Chief Executive Officer, NFB, views were sought from farmers, feed manufacturers and ways to revive India's shrimp industry.

Kondala Rayudu, secretary, Andhra Pradesh Prawn Farmers Association, wanted the Government to develop the domestic market instead of focusing strongly on the export market.

Being in an export-oriented industry, India's shrimp producers are totally left to the mercy of exporters. They thus get poor prices for their produce and even sells below production costs, he said.