The Hindu Business Line : Aquaculture to be developed in coastal States

The Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) is pushing for development of aquaculture in coastal States such as Gujarat, Maharashtra and Orissa through a mission mode programme, according to its, Director (Marketing), Mr Kuruvilla Thomas.

Mission mode programme

Addressing a press conference on the eve of the inauguration of Indaqua 2007, a conference and exhibition of the aquaculture industry to be held here from Thursday, he said the mission mode programme was part of an action plan for the development of aquaculture industry.

Development of coastal aquaculture and use of waste and barren lands for freshwater shrimp farming were among the components of the master plan. The mission mode programme would target bringing under aquaculture over 50,000 hectares in Gujarat over the next five years, 30,000 hectares in Maharashtra and over 10,000 hectares under freshwater prawn farming in Orissa.

Tech tie up

MPEDA will also sign an agreement with the Swiss Import Promotion Programme for consultancy and technical collaboration on organic aquaculture in India. Exclusive sessions to promote ornamental fish culture and exports will also be conducted.

The event will showcase and promote aquaculture products and services, address technical issues in aquaculture and highlight practices like good seed cultivation and quality of output. Over 120 exhibitors including hatcheries, feed mills, input suppliers, machinery manufacturers and services providers will put up stalls.