Rs 20-crore project to develop pathogen-free shrimps

Kochi, May 31 (UNI) Union Minister of State for Commerce Jairam Ramesh today said, the Centre and the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) were embarking on a Rs 20-crore project to develop pathogen-free shrimps.

Talking to reporters here, Mr Ramesh said, ''for the purpose a bio-secure zone has been identified in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the MPEDA had already started the project.'' He said, this would help in cultivating pathogen-free brood stock and by next year couple of generations of disease-free shrimps would be available for breeding in all hatcheries in the country.

'' Over the years, marine exports did not go up as expected due to shrimp disease as 55 per cent of the total marine exports consisted of shrimps,'' he said.

However, Mr Ramesh said, marine exports had recorded an unprecedented 12 per cent growth last year with 85 billion dollars.

He said, EU acounted for 34 per cent, US 16 per cent, Japan 16 per cent and China 14 per cent of the total exports.

He said, diversification into tuna would also be taken up to boost exports.

He said, his Ministry was planning to expand the scope of aquaculture in the country by giving thrust to shrimps and prawns in Maharashtra, Gujarat and Orissa in addition to Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

Mr Ramesh said the MPEDA was also taking an initiative in Tuticorin to develop the feed, Artemia for aquaculture farming, which was imported from the US.

UNI