Dr. Abhilaksh Lakhi, Secretary, Department of Fisheries, visited the shrimp farms at Lahli village in Rohtak and the regional center of ICAR-CIFE at Rohtak, Haryana. The purpose of the visit was to address challenges faced by saltwater shrimp farmers and promote sustainable aquaculture practices.
During his visit to the ICAR-CIFE farm facilities, Dr. Abhilaksh Lakhi had a meaningful interaction with shrimp farmers of Haryana to gain insight into the problems they face. As part of the visit, the Union Secretary also distributed the seeds of common carp bred by the Center under the NAHEP scheme to select farmers, to promote species diversity in brackish water aquaculture. was encouraged.
Dr. Lakhi emphasized the importance of converting barren land into resources through aquafarming. They were informed by ICAR-CIFE scientists that groundwater salinization in inland states, such as Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh, has had significant economic, social, and environmental impacts affecting about 8.62 million hectares of land. However, this challenge also presents an opportunity, as saline groundwater can be efficiently used for aquaculture, which can grow income-generating fish, shrimp and prawn crops while reducing salinity. Helps reduce side effects.
At present the four northern states of India Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh produce 8554.15 MT of shrimp annually from 2167 hectares of brackish water aquaculture. However, these states have 58,000 hectares of land suitable for brackish water aquaculture, indicating immense potential for shrimp and fish farming. To promote species diversity in these areas, the Department of Fisheries has initiated a program for genetic improvement of common carp (Cypernus carpio) for inland brackish aquaculture at CIFE, Rohtak under PMMSY. The project has been approved, with a total investment of Rs. 9.29 crores
Dr. Abhilaksh Lakhi also reviewed the activities undertaken by the ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education (CIFE), Rohtak, including the Genetic Improvement Program of Common Carp supported under PMMSY. Dr S Jagirdar, Principal Scientist, ICAR, gave an insight into the various projects and initiatives being undertaken at the Rohtak Centre. Dr. Babita Rani, Senior Scientist and Scientist-in-Charge CIFE, Rohtak gave a detailed overview of the research activities being carried out at the Centre.
In-charge of CIFE, Rohtak said that ICAR-CIFE has developed technology to strengthen inland brackish-reduc ions, making it suitable for shrimp and other forms of aquaculture. This technology has been spread over about 2942 acres in Haryana, 1200 acres in Punjab, 1000 acres in Rajasthan, and 20-25 acres in Uttar Pradesh. Production area in Haryana has increased by an additional 1200 acres this year.
Dr. Abhilaksh Lakhi praised the ICAR-CIFE scientists for their excellent work to strengthen the reduction ions in ground saline water and described it as favorable for shrimp farming. He stressed the need to create awareness about adopting this technology in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Punjab.
Additionally, he stressed the importance of expanding shrimp farming with technology developed by ICAR-CIFE in all four states, which have a total area of about 58,000 hectares suitable for brackish water aquaculture. However, only 2,167 hectares are currently being utilized, yielding 58.5% of annual production.
First Published: 30 Sep 2023, 08:06 IST