With the existing infrastructure in Shrimp sector, India is all set to adopt new technologies and expand farming areas especially in Northern parts of India and in Andhra Pradesh. India has a total of 600 hatcheries, 5 Brood stock multiplication centers ,45 Feed mills, 667 Processing plants and 192K ha area under farming with authentic certifications.
The production targets for 2024 is expected to increase inspite of a slow start with the resurgence of Black tiger and boost in domestic consumption. The present domestic consumption is around 100K tons and post covid there is an improvement in market acceptance. Various initiatives by stakeholders and organizations are boosting the domestic market consumption of shrimps
The production challenges at hatchery and farms are being addressed effectively and efforts are being taken to resolve them.
Diseases remain the major constraint in farming vannamei, such as WSSV, White Faeces, EHP and RMS and counter strategies to mitigate them are implemented. Best Management Practices, strict Biosecurity measures and stringent feeding regimes are highly recommended.
The unexpected crash in prices is yet another area of major concern coupled with the increase in input costs that includes raw materials and product services. The dwindling cash flow in the sector is disheartening to the farmers and stakeholders.
Apart from this, unpredictable weather like storms, cyclones and rains also cause disruption in the productivity of the sector. In the hatcheries sector, there is an increased level of dependency on imported broodstock. The BMC are facing difficulties in procuring SPF polychaete worms as there is a shortage in its availability and supply.
Production at hatchery level is good and sometimes in excess with no demand which is a challenge for the hatchery owners. This trend is leading to unpredictable stocking by hatcheries and in preference to the farmer’s choice of broodstock lines.
USA is the largest importer of shrimps from India and there is a need to explore new markets in the shrimp export sector. There are issues to be resolved regarding the freight charges and CVD (Countervailing Duty). The product portfolio will also undergo a
significant improvement.
The speculations and predictions for 2024 is positive and from the existing challenges and struggles new opportunities, technologies and solutions are emerging to put the Indian Shrimp aquaculture back on its track to gather momentum and steady growth
Blogger:
Dr. Sathish Prasad
Senior Scientist – Aquatic Animal Health
Growel Innovation Center,
RS NO.57, Chevuru Village, Sriharipuram Panchayat, Mudinepalli Mandal, Krishna District – Andhra Pradesh India – 521329
Email: [email protected]