PRADHAN MANTRI MATSYA SAMPADA YOJANA IN NORTH INDIA: ECONOMY
NEWS: Government Pushes for Saline Aquaculture Hubs in Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh; To Drive Employment and Livelihoods.States Propose 5-Hectare Limit, Increased Subsidies, and National Committee to Boost Sustainable Shrimp Aquaculture
WHAT’S IN THE NEWS?
The Union Fisheries Department is promoting inland saline shrimp aquaculture in northern states under PMMSY, converting salt-affected lands into high-value aquaculture zones. Despite vast potential, limited utilization, high input costs, and lack of infrastructure remain key challenges needing policy and financial support.
State-wise Implementation under PMMSY and Blue Revolution
• Uttar Pradesh has identified 1.37 lakh hectares of inland saline aquaculture potential in districts like Mathura, Agra, Hathras, and Raebareli, where PMMSY is promoting shrimp farming as a means to convert degraded land into high-value assets.
• Rajasthan has seen expansion in shrimp farming across saline districts such as Churu and Ganganagar, where 500 hectares are under cultivation, and a diagnostic lab has been established in Churu under PMMSY to provide disease monitoring and farm support.
• Punjab’s shrimp farming is growing in Sri Muktsar Sahib and Fazilka districts, supported by infrastructure including a 30-tonne cold storage facility, an ice plant, and a farmer training centre developed through PMMSY and Blue Revolution initiatives.
• Haryana has recorded a production of 13,914 tonnes of shrimp, with ₹57.09 crore invested under PMMSY to develop saline aquaculture through infrastructure creation, technical services, and farmer capacity-building.
About Saline Aquaculture
• Saline aquaculture involves cultivating aquatic species such as shrimp, milkfish, and pearl spot in lands with high salinity or degraded soils that are unsuitable for traditional agriculture.
• It offers a sustainable livelihood option in rural areas affected by salinity, providing high-value returns, and helping farmers utilise otherwise unproductive land.
Significance and Benefits of Saline Aquaculture
• Converts wastelands and salt-affected soils into productive and profitable aquaculture farms, unlocking their economic value.
• Delivers higher income per acre compared to traditional farming practices, especially in non-arable regions.
• Generates local employment and supports rural livelihoods, particularly in regions prone to waterlogging, salinization, or poor irrigation infrastructure.
• Strengthens India’s position in global seafood exports, with shrimp contributing over 65% of total seafood export value.
• Encourages environmentally resilient agricultural practices in the face of land degradation and climate challenges.
Current Utilization vs Potential
• Across the four states, 58,000 hectares of land have been identified as suitable for saline aquaculture, yet only 2,608 hectares are currently in use, reflecting underutilization of available potential.
• With the right investment and support, these areas can be transformed into major inland shrimp farming hubs, boosting rural incomes and national export earnings.
Challenges Faced by Farmers in Saline Water Aquaculture
• High capital costs for pond construction, polythene lining, aerators, and disease management act as entry barriers for small-scale farmers.
• Limited subsidy coverage under current schemes makes it difficult for farmers to recover investments or scale up operations.
• The existing 2-hectare cap on farm size under PMMSY restricts large-scale commercial shrimp farming and limits profitability.
• Seasonal fluctuations in water salinity and lack of water quality control affect shrimp growth and survival rates.
• High land lease rates in certain regions discourage long-term aquaculture planning.
• Shortage of quality shrimp seed and limited access to certified hatcheries reduce farm productivity.
• Inadequate market infrastructure, including cold storage and processing units, results in poor price realization and over-reliance on middlemen.
• Rising input costs (feed, electricity, equipment) combined with stagnant farm-gate prices shrink profit margins and affect farmer morale.
Proposals to Strengthen the Sector
• Increase the permissible unit cost for setting up aquaculture farms to ₹25 lakh per hectare to support infrastructure development and reduce upfront financial burdens.
• Expand the farm size limit from 2 hectares to 5 hectares to promote scalability and commercial viability in shrimp farming.
• Enhance subsidies for critical inputs such as polythene lining, biosecurity tools, and energy-efficient equipment to lower operational costs.
• Establish an Integrated Aqua Park in Sirsa (Haryana) as a central facility for hatchery services, training, feed production, cold storage, and marketing support.
• Improve marketing infrastructure by developing dedicated procurement centres, cold chains, and local markets to ensure better price realization for farmers.
• Launch awareness campaigns across northern India to increase shrimp consumption and domestic demand, reducing export dependence.
• Strengthen collaboration between State governments, ICAR institutes, and central agencies to facilitate knowledge-sharing and regional planning.
• Conduct a national-level gap analysis and set up shrimp farming clusters in 25 districts with technical support from Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs).
• Form a National Committee to update shrimp farming guidelines, integrate sustainability measures, and design a long-term policy roadmap for inland saline aquaculture.
Modern Sustainable Practices in Saline Aquaculture
• Promote climate-resilient farming systems and species that can thrive in saline conditions and temperature fluctuations.
• Use polythene-lined ponds to manage salinity levels, reduce water seepage, and maintain consistent growing conditions.
• Encourage adoption of biofloc technology to enhance water quality, reduce feed dependency, and increase overall productivity.
• Establish diagnostic labs and promote scientific research to support disease management, biosecurity, and farm-level decision-making.
Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2119832