The farmers of Punjab and Haryana can now earn their bread by fish farming. Prawn farming has brought a ray of hope for those wanting to break away the vicious circle of wheat and rice cultivation.
With the initiative of Nabard, Chandigarh, farmers in the districts of Jallandhar, Kapurthala and Ludhiana are getting lucrative returns from prawn farming.
It all started in 2000, when the districts of Ludhiana and Jallandhar in Punjab and Hissar in Haryana were chosen on an experimental basis for prawn farming. The project, carried out at four ponds in these areas, proved highly successful.
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In January 2002, thirty farmers from several parts of Punjab were taken to Nellur in Andhra Pradesh for training in prawn farming. The harvest was ready by November 2002.
The Centre has also directed the government of Haryana to extend 50 per cent subsidy for prawn farming.
Punjab and Haryana have tremendous scope for prawn farming due to the increasing demand in Delhi. At present, the demand of the Capital's five-star hotels is met by the coastal states.
A farmer can get Rs 700-800 in the Delhi market. There are about 15 five-star hotels and the consumption of each hotel is between 25 kg and 30 kg day. The farmers can also supply to local marriage parties.
Nabard acts as a facilitator in providing specialised prawn diet. The bank has a pact with consultant M/S Maharaja Aquatics of Nellore, which is a leader in this industry. The consultant has been providing technical facilities and support in addition to marketing facilities to the farmers.
A minimum of 1 hectare is required for an economically viable project. It is divided into two ponds. The mandatory water level is 1.5 metre. A farmer can grow 1.5-1.7 tonnes of prawn.
A senior official of Nabard told Business Standard a farmer with one hectare area could generate Rs 5 lakh per annum and earn a profit of Rs 3 lakh. The process is highly remunerative because it can fetch up to 60 per cent of profit.
The region is disease -free and, so far, no disease has been quoted in the states of Punjab and Haryana.
India has been exporting seafood worth Rs 6,000 per annum, and prawn is a major item. Its unit value is as high as Rs 400-500 per kg. In commercial parlance, prawn is called Scampi and is exported under the same name.
The Nabard official said once the domestic market was exhausted, export opportunities would be explored. Export would be undertaken with the help of a consultant.
The nearest seafood processing centres are located in Gujarat (Walsar, Veraval, Porbandar and Port Okha). This will also facilitate export of the seafood.
The Agri Tech Management Agency has adopted four districts (Jallandhar, Gurdaspur, Faridkot and Sangrur) in Punjab for prawn farming. It has a target of bringing about 300 hectares under prawn farming, which is currently done in only 20 hectares.
Pepsi citrus fruit production
Soft drink major Pepsico said it would commercialise the production of a variety of citrus fruits, which will then be used in making its 'Tropicana' range of fruit juices. Pepsi has already signed an agreement with the Punjab Agri Export Corporation (PAGREXCO), Pepsico executive director (exports and external affairs) Abhiram Seth said on Tuesday.
The deal will allow Pepsi to buy citrus fruits from farmers and export it to the US.
Around 1,600 seedlings in 19 different combinations have been imported from the US and the citrus stock placed under quarantine.
After the quarantine period is over, it will be taken to 'demonstration plots' in Punjab for the benefit of interested farmers, Seth said.
The Punjab State Horticulture Department and Punjab Agricultural University will, in collaboration with Pepsi, manage the plots. Pepsi will provide the technical know-how.