In a bid to revitalize wastelands and foster economic activity, the central government of India has announced plans to promote shrimp farming in four northern states—Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. The Department of Fisheries (DoF), operating under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, aims to significantly expand shrimp farming in these states as a strategic initiative.
Salinization of groundwater has posed considerable challenges in these inland states, impacting approximately 8.62 million hectares of land. The move to promote shrimp farming is seen as an opportunity to economically utilize saline groundwater through aquaculture practices. This approach envisions evapo-transpiring a substantial portion of water from aquaculture ponds, generating income through fish, prawn, and shrimp cultivation.
Presently, shrimp production in the targeted states stands at 8,554.15 tonnes per year, originating from 2,167 hectares of saline water aquaculture. However, these states boast a potential area of 58,000 hectares suitable for saline water aquaculture. To diversify species in this aquaculture domain, the DoF has approved a project under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) to the Central Institute of Fisheries Education (CIFE), Rohtak, focusing on genetic improvement with a total investment of Rs9.29 crore.
CIFE has developed technology to enhance deficient ions in inland saline water, making it conducive for shrimp and other aquaculture species. Shrimp farming has proven to be a lucrative alternative for farmers with infertile lands. In regions like Malwa in Punjab, farmers are reportedly earning Rs4-5 lakh per acre per year from previously unproductive land. Under the PMMSY, the central and state governments offer a 40% subsidy to farmers, with a higher 60% subsidy for Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, and women farmers engaged in shrimp farming.
