SHRIMP FARMING (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: Recently, India, the largest supplier of shrimp, rebutted claims of human rights and environmental abuses by a Chicago-based human rights group, as top Commerce Ministry officials convene with seafood exporters to address efforts in safeguarding its global reputation.

Shrimp Farming

• About: It is an aquaculture business that exists in either a marine or freshwater environment, producing shrimp or prawns for human consumption.
• Soil type: Usually, clay or loam-based soil containing more than 90% clay and pH between 6.5-8.5 is preferable
• Suitable species: Penaeus indicus and tiger prawn P. monodon.
• Geographical Distribution: West Bengal, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry, Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra, and Gujarat.
• Significant Contribution: About a lakh shrimp farms in Andhra Pradesh alone contribute to almost 70% of India's shrimp output.
• Female Workforce Dominance: Women are estimated to hold 70% of the eight million jobs in the sector, spanning hatcheries, aquaculture farms, processing, and freezing units.

SAIME Initiative

• About: It is a community-based pilot project initiated in West Bengal.
• Full form: Sustainable Aquaculture through Integrative Mangrove Ecosystems
• Established: 2019
• Aim: To integrate stakeholders from various sectors including government departments, academia, and research institutes.
• Partners: SAIME is conceived by NEWS (Nature Environment & Wildlife Society) along with Global Nature Fund (GNF), Naturland Bangladesh, and Environment and Development Society (BEDS).