The State Project Management Unit of the Enhancing Climate Resilience of India’s Coastal Communities (ECRICC) project organized the Crab Farmers’ and Exporters’ Meet today at the State Institute of Rural Development (SIRD) Campus, Bhubaneswar. The event aimed to promote sustainable aquaculture practices, strengthen market linkages, and highlight mud crab farming as a viable livelihood for Odisha’s coastal communities.
In his inaugural address, Prem Kumar Jha, Director (Environment) and Special Secretary to the Government and State Project Director, ECRICC Project, Odisha, emphasized the importance of mud crab aquaculture in the state’s fisheries sector. He highlighted that this initiative would provide a sustainable income source for coastal communities while ensuring environmental sustainability.
Dr. Archiman Lahiri, Deputy Director of the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), stressed the growing global demand for high-quality mud crabs and Odisha’s potential to become a key player in the international export market.
The ECRICC project, funded by the Green Climate Fund, is currently being implemented in Odisha, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh, with a focus on enhancing the resilience of vulnerable coastal communities to climate change. In Odisha, the project covers seven landscapes across the districts of Puri, Ganjam, Kendrapara, and Balasore.
Key discussions at the meet revolved around scaling crab aquaculture, overcoming export challenges, and establishing a dedicated crab hatchery by 2025 to ensure a steady seed supply. The event also addressed strategies to improve farmers’ access to global markets, uphold quality standards, and streamline export documentation.
Representatives from MPEDA, the Fisheries and Animal Resource Development Department (F&ARD), exporters from West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, and various NGOs participated in the event. Dr. Spandita Kar, State Project Manager, ECRICC, and her team ensured the smooth execution of the meet.
The partnerships formed among the government, NGOs, and exporters are expected to significantly benefit Odisha’s coastal communities, paving the way for sustainable and profitable aquaculture practices in the region.
