October 3, 2023

India to promote shrimp farming in northern states

India's central government has decided to promote shrimp farming in four northern states, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh,  in order to convert wastelands into sites for lucrative economic activities.

Currently, shrimp production in those states is 8,554.15 tonnes per year, with production taking place on 2,167 hectare of saline water aquaculture. Overall, they have 58,000 hectare area suitable for saline water aquaculture.

To promote species diversification in saline water aquaculture in these areas, the Department of Fisheries (DoF), under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, recently approved a project — under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) — to Central Institute of Fisheries Education (CIFE) for genetic improvement.

The CIFE has developed technology to fortify deficient ions in inland saline water and make it suitable for shrimp and other species of aquaculture with support of the DoF.

Under the PMMSY, the CIFE and the state government provide 40% subsidy to farmers. In the case of shrimp farming by Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe and women farmers, the subsidy goes up to 60%.

- Bizz Buzz