The Hindu Business Line : Shrimp farming issues to figure in 2nd agriculture report

QUALITY seed stock for shrimp farming, attracting bank support and insurance, recognising shrimp farming in land use classification and uniform land lease policies were some of the issues discussed at a national consultation on shrimp farming here on Wednesday.

The meet was organised by the Aquaculture Authority and the National Commission for Farmers. Representatives from the coastal States, including officials and farmers, addressed the issues against the backdrop of the Coastal Aquaculture Authority Act 2005 approved recently.

Mr Atul Sinha, Member Secretary, National Commission on Farmers, said the commission would include the recommendations of the consultation in its second report on agriculture to be submitted to the Centre in June.

The commission is taking an overview of agriculture rather than looking at segments individually.

The Aquaculture Authority Act 2005 represents a significant step in the development of the industry. Those concerned need to come together to address socio-economic and legal issues, keeping in mind long-term development. The aquaculture industry has to address development with a sense of social responsibility to avoid conflict, he said.

Dr Y.S. Yadava, Member Secretary, Aquaculture Authority, said a national level programme is needed to develop disease-free shrimp stock, particularly brooders which are sources of shrimp seeds. The data also need to be updated, he said.

Available data indicate that over 1,57,000 hectares are under shrimp culture with annual production at about 1,00,000 tonnes. But the area could actually be lower than that, according to Dr Yadava.

Mr G. Santhana Krishnan, Secretary, The Marine Products Export Development Authority, said coastal areas where aquaculture was possible should be classified. Officially, there were categories such as agriculture land, grazing lands and marginal lands; but there was no classification for aquaculture.

Data is also needed on the area under cultivation for use by various authorities and policy-making bodies. Figures available now are highly variable.

Officials from Gujarat, Karnataka and Maharashtra called for uniform long-term land lease policies for leasing out government lands for aquaculture. Only a fraction of the area with potential for aquaculture has been taken up for shrimp farming. The Centre could come out with guidelines for State Governments and it should incorporate procedures for involvement of financial institutions and insurance companies in assisting the projects.

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