MULTAN: Fisheries Development Board is working to promote climate resilient shrimp farming across the country under Prime Minister’s Agriculture Emergency Programme.
Under the comprehensive programme, shrimp hatchery, research centre, shrimp farm, shrimp processing plant,feed mill and subsidy would be provided to farmers across the country, said Director Training Fisheries Development Board Dr Imdadullah Salar, talking to reporter, here on Tuesday.
About Fisheries Development Board, he stated that it was a subsidiary of Ministry of National Food Security and Research. He added that Rs six billion under PM’s agriculture emergency programme had been kept for promotion of shrimp farming across the country. Efforts are in progress to promote profit generating shrimp farming with collaboration of fisheries department of the provinces concerned.
He added that Fisheries Development Board set target to ensure shrimp farming at 35,000 acres in the country. The country had enough saline soil where nothing could be cultivated. He, however, hinted that such piece of soil was very much important for shrimp farming.
About profit margin, he stated that it could offer 100 % profit of total investment. About work plan for promotion of shrimp farming, the Director Training hinted that a mega hatchery would be established along coastal line in Balochistan. The hatchery would generate 250 million seeds annually.
To a question about shrimp seed, he stated that the country lacked any hatchery and shrimp seed was imported from Thailand. The price of imported seed is about Rs 8. However, after establishment of hatchery in 2022, the shrimp seed would be available against Rs one only. Dr Imdadullah hinted that neighbours country had 300 hatcheries and its shrimps exports were over six billion dollars.
Similarly, a research centre is also being established in Muzaffargarh. The research centre would be equipped with modern facilities. It will also offer technical assistance to farmers also.
About shrimp farm, the expert observed that shrimp farm, at an area of 15 acres was being introduced in Pind Dadan Khan. A modern feed mill and processing plant for value-addition is also in progress under the mega initiative.
Dr Imdadullah also maintained that fisheries development board was also imparting training to farmers. It set target to provide training to 1500 farmers in the country. So far, 200 farmers underwent special training on shrimp farming. The farmers were being provided training about all aspects related to shrimp farming. A 15-day training programme is in progress in Multan wherein 65 farmers from across the region were attending training session.
Responding to another query about facilities towards farmers, Dr Imdadullah maintained that the government announced Rs 150,000/acre subsidy on preparation of land for shrimp farming. The intending farmers could apply for subsidy with Provincial Agriculture Department.
The government is also working to establish two training hostels in Rawalpindi and Bahawalpur, said Dr Imdadullah.
Shrimp is exportable commodity and efforts are in progress to promote it across the country. He hoped that the country would be able to produce over 10,000 tones of shrimp by 2024.