The Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) in association with Andhra Pradesh government is planning to increase shrimp and fish culture to boost the export revenue in the next five years.
MPEDA Chairman Leena Nair along with other officials recently met Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and presented a document on fish and shrimp culture explaining about the potential to improve aqua farming in Andhra Pradesh. Mr. Naidu promised to develop harbours and extend all help to increase marine production.
Speaking to The Hindu , Ms. Nair who was in the city recently said the MPEDA through its research unit, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Aquaculture (RGCA), was planning to impart training to aqua farmers on farming fish varieties which would help in increasing the production.
In November last, the Andhra Pradesh government had issued orders according permission for taking up cultivation of Tilapia, a genetically improved fish species, in the State. Farmers can start Tilapia farming in fresh and inland waters as also through cage culture. Tilapia farming is the third major area in international trading of fisheries’ products.
Principal Secretary (Fisheries) Manmohan Singh said the State government has prepared a plan to raise fish and prawns, worth about Rs. 65,000 crore in the next five years. The State was contributing 25 per cent of aqua products being exported from the country. “We have plans to revive the defunct seed farms and tanks and identify new water bodies to increase fish produce in the State,” said Dr. Singh.
“Focus is on research and exports to improve the country’s exchequer. Andhra Pradesh with its rich variety of fish, crabs and shrimp can tap the high demand in the international market. We appeal to farmers to take suggestions from the officials concerned and follow scientific methods to produce disease-free varieties,” said Ms. Nair.
