'Andhra scampi farming sees only 15% dip in H1'

Scampi farming in the state has dipped only by about 10-15 per cent in the first six months of this year (2004-05) and not 70 per cent as claimed by some farmers, according to Marine Products Exports Development Authority (MPEDA).

Speaking to Business Standard, MPEDA deputy director G Rathina Raju said, "The coastal districts have received good rains in September and we hope this will continue till November. Then, the farmers would certainly cross the target of producing one lakh tonnes of scampi (fresh water) and tiger (brackish) prawns in the state. The farmers have stocked large quantities of seeds in the nurseries and would reap a good production (rabi) of the two prawns in January, February, and March."

"The farmers in the state netted 61,000 tonnes of tiger prawn and scampi from April to September this year. The production includes 46,000 tonnes of tiger prawn and 15,000 tonnes of scampi. The Godavari districts have so far stood first in production. Visakhapatnam recorded a poor production of 900 tonnes. The production has improved in Prakasam district. The prawn ponds in Krishna district have surprisingly remained idle. More farmers of West and East Godavari districts have gone in for scampi farming this season. Last year, the farmers harvested 85,000 tonnes of shrimp and scampi and 78,000 tonnes in 2002-03," he said.

Raju expects a production of over one lakh tonnes of prawn for 2004-05 with tiger prawn production set to touch 39,000 tonnes during the rabi (second) season.

"The prawn export price this year has crashed from Rs 330 to Rs 230 per kg and is currently hovering around Rs 280-290. So quantity-wise, an increase in prawn production may not fetch more foreign exchange. Our exports have been mainly to the US, the EU and Japan. But Japan recently rejected some consignments of prawns due to muddy mould smell. This problem persists with prawns harvested in the Godavari districts due to the presence in ponds of bluegreen algae, which contains alcoholic geosmin. The presence of alcohol affects the taste. Rejection of prawns puts them under 'shipback' category or under second rate quality."

He said that in two or three tanks in Nellore district, macro brachium rosembergii species of noda (MRNV) virus was found. Experts immediately intervened and put the virus under control.

"But white spot disease is creating problems for shrimp farmers of other coastal districts. MPEDA is educating farmers on elimination of the use of banned antibiotics and pesticide. Their use has been obstructing our exports."

MPEDA has given Rs 5 crore subsidy this year to 300 farmers as compared to Rs 3.5 crore subsidy last year, he said. Sixty per cent of tiger and scampi prawns produced in the country come from the state and 80 per cent scampi harvested in the state comes from Nellore district, he added.