Kerala to source prawns from UP to meet global demand

Varanasi, July 27 (UNI) In an attempt to meet the growing global demand for prawns, Kerala -- national leader in fish trade -- has evinced interest in sourcing fresh water prawns from ponds in Varanasi and adjoining districts of East Uttar Pradesh.

A two-member delegation of MATYSYA FED (the Kerela fishing department) today interacted with fish farmers of the region, besides holding deliberations with district and fishing department officials.

Later, interacting with mediapersons MATSYA FED Managing Director K N Mohanan Nambiar said only 1/5th of global demand for prawns was being met by Kerala.

''Now we have decided to source fresh water prawns from ponds in other states, including this part of UP.'' Attempts are also underway to fish prawns from ponds in North East and northern states like Punjab and Haryana, Mr Nambiar added.

Presently, the global demand for prawns emanated mostly from USA, European Union and Japan, but more countries like Sri Lanka and South-East Asia were also looking to India for prawns, Mr Nambiar maintained.

Deputy Director General of MATSYA FED, K Shobhna Kumar further said Varanasi and adjoining districts, replete with ponds, could be crucial in fulfilling the requirement.

''We will first supply prawn seeds to fish farmers here at affordable rates and buy back their output at prevailing market rates, spanning between Rs 400 to RS 450 per kg,'' he added.

The MATSYA FED will also provide the necessary techinical knowhow to fish farmers here through the Fish Farmers Development Agency (FFDA), whose CEO Arvind Mishra was present at the meeting of the South Indian team with district officials.

The two-member team will also visit the Harhaua area of Varanasi district tomorrow to survey the ponds and status of fish farming in the region and then complete the modalities of doing business with fish farmers here.

FFDA CEO Arvind Mishra later said Kerala will be the the second state after West Bengal to outsource fresh water prawns from the region. Presently, the Eastern State was outsourcing prawns from ponds in neighbouring Ghazipur district.

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