CDA launches Crab culture project in Chilka villages

Bhubaneswar, Feb 15: The Chilka Development Authority (CDA) in association with the UNDP, has launched a unique project to provide alternative source of employment to fishermen living in villages near the outer channel of Chilka lake.

To address the livelihood of the fishermen there, unsuitable for shrimp culture, the CDA has introduced an innovative approach of crab fattening and crab culture.

Two pilot villages- namely- Mirzapur and Mahisa- have been covered under this project where the CDA would provide necessary technical training to the villagers and the women Self-Help Groups (SHGS) with support from Chennai based National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT).

CDA Chief Executive Sudarshan Panda said one such training was conducted in the visitor center at Satapada last week where as many as 90 fishermen participated.

Mr Panda said the project for crab fattening and crab culture has been introduced in the village ponds unsuitable for shrimp culture to enhance the financial conditions of fishing community.

The crab fattening and crab culture have been done in specially designed bamboo cages suited for Chilika environment. These cages have been specially designed by the CDA which are cost effective and could be replicated by the villagers.

The fattening of the water crabs has been done in the specially designed cages for keeping the water crabs for a period of twenty days and the price of the water crabs could be enhanced three folds.

Two species of crabs, which were of commercial importance such as Scylla serrata and Scylla tranquebarica, have been used for the project purpose. Mr Panda said the project not only provides alternative source of employment to the fishermen but also form an important part in the income generating activities of women SHGs of the community.

The CDA, he said, was contemplating to extend the project in Outer Channel area during the second phase.

UNI