December 23, 2020

Andhra, India boosts brackish water aquaculture

The Andhra government in India has set a target of increasing the brackish water aquaculture from 1.6 lakh hectares to two lakh hectares - the highest in the country.

P. Koteswara Rao, the State Institute of Fisheries Technology's principal and additional deputy director of the fisheries department, said: "The decision was taken to encourage the domestic market for brackish water aquaculture products, nearly 95% of which is currently exported to the US, China and countries in Europe. If the area is increased, the products can be sold in the domestic market and, in the near future, in the government's proposed YSR Janata Bazaars."

The Indian government proposed setting up around 22,000 YSR Janata Bazaars in villages and towns.

Rao added: "Brackish water aquaculture is a suitable option for entrepreneurs who have suffered losses in business, or those who have lost jobs in the pandemic, as the Indian government is offering incentives such as subsidised power at a rate of Rs1.5 (US$0.020) per unit.". "The government has constituted a board, AP State Aquaculture Development Authority, to develop fisheries sector," he added.

"A minimum of Rs10 lakhs (US$13,549.05) per hectare is required. Even those with little or no education can do good business, but they must have the interest to acquire the skills," Rao said.

For brackish water aquaculture to be favourable for vannamei prawn the water requires salinity of 5ppt to 15ppt. An annual production of eight lakh metric tonnes is carried out by 95,000 persons while another 500 have shown interest. Close to 40 applications have been received in Visakhapatnam district.

"Our mandal level committee is scrutinising the applications for issuance for license for brackish water aquaculture. We have received nearly 40 applications," said Phani Prakash, joint director of the AP fisheries department, Visakhapatnam.

Recounting a success story, a fisheries official said a farmer produced 17 metric tonnes of vannamei prawn in 3.2 hectares of brackish aquaculture and sold the produce for Rs85 lakhs (US$115,197.36), earning Rs27 lakhs (US$36,580.17) per hectare.

Another farmer, with a minimum investment of Rs10 lakhs (US$13,548.21) per hectare, made a profit of Rs17 lakhs (US$23,034.80).

 - Times of India