India eyes shrimp farming boom on untapped saline lands in four states

A high-level review meeting was recently held to explore the potential of saline lands for shrimp farming in four northern states. Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, Union Secretary of the Department of Fisheries, chaired the zoom meeting, which focused on Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. The discussions highlighted both opportunities and challenges in expanding inland aquaculture across these regions.

The meeting assessed the current state of shrimp farming on saline lands, where only 2,608 hectares out of 58,000 identified are being used. Uttar Pradesh alone holds 137,000 hectares of inland saline land suitable for aquaculture, offering significant untapped potential. Meanwhile, Rajasthan has seen growing activity in salt-affected districts like Churu and Ganganagar, with around 500 hectares now dedicated to shrimp farming.

Haryana reported success under the PMMSY scheme, producing over 13,900 tons of shrimp with an investment of Rs 57.09 crore. However, farmers raised concerns about high setup costs, limited subsidies, and a restrictive two-hectare cap on land use. Infrastructure gaps, rising input expenses, and low market prices were also identified as key hurdles.

To address these issues, the meeting proposed forming a National Committee to review existing guidelines and create a sustainable roadmap. States suggested policy changes, including higher permissible unit costs and expanded land usage limits to boost the sector.

The discussions marked a step toward unlocking the potential of saline lands for shrimp farming in northern India. A National Committee is expected to refine guidelines and support sustainable growth in the sector. The outcomes could help farmers overcome financial and operational barriers while increasing aquaculture productivity.