Union government is set to implement a ₹576 crore aquaculture plan across four northern states, aiming to transform them into a major hub for shrimp farming, catering to both domestic consumption and exports. The ambitious initiative seeks to leverage land deemed unsuitable for conventional crops in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Punjab.
Over the past year, officials and scientists from the Department of Fisheries and the Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture conducted extensive tests on thousands of hectares of saline wasteland in 25 districts across the four states. These efforts identified clusters where shrimp aquaculture could thrive, potentially making Haryana a significant centre for shrimp farming with a productivity rate similar to the world average, approximately 6-7 tonnes per hectare.
Shrimp farming in India has received support from international organizations like the World Bank, Food and Agriculture Organization, and Asian Development Bank. The country currently stands as the second-largest aquaculture shrimp producer, trailing only Ecuador, with 900,000 tonnes produced in 2022. The recent passing of the Coastal Aquaculture Authority (Amendment) Bill 2023 by both houses of Parliament is expected to further boost the growth of the Indian seafood sector.
Unlike conventional shrimp farming, often criticized for its environmental impact, the proposed shrimp hubs in northern India aim to be eco-friendly, utilizing technologies such as biofloc and exclusively occupying unproductive wasteland, as highlighted by Sagar Mehra, Joint Secretary in the fisheries department.
The shrimp clusters are anticipated to generate 50,000 local jobs, ranging from direct employment to roles in ancillary warehousing and cold storage. A state-of-the-art aqua park in Bhiwani, funded with ₹100 crore, will serve as a training centre. The shrimp hubs will employ biofloc technology developed by the Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture, treating on-site excreta and other wastes to convert them into feed for the crustaceans.
The project aligns with the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana, where funding is shared between the Centre and states to create aquaculture assets capable of generating 5.5 million livelihoods nationally by 2025. The micro-credit scheme under this initiative will support new shrimp farmers.
The chosen districts for the project include Rohtak, Fatehabad, and Gurugram in Haryana; Mathura, Agra, and Hathras in Uttar Pradesh; Fazilka, Muktsar, and Mansa in Punjab; and Ganganagar and Churu in Rajasthan. Key to the project’s success will be comprehensive support throughout the process, ensuring market linkages for export avenues and remunerative prices, according to CV Balakrishna, a former marine consultant with the FAO. Agreements with the Marine Products Export Development Authority are expected to facilitate exports.
Source: Hindustan Times
