Question : ACQUACULTURE PROJECTS

(a) whether the Government have assessed the performance of acquaculture projects during the last three years;

(b) if so, the details thereof alongwith the norms fixed for the said assessment;

(c) whether the Government propose to formulate fresh policy to modernise/revitalise prawn-culture in high potentiality viable areas with latest technology for processing of prawn for exports; and

(d) the number of units identified, State-wise for modernisation and harnessing export potential for the current year?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE

(SHRI HUKUMDEO NARAYAN YADAV)


(a) &(b): Performance of aquaculture schemes/programmes are reviewed during Annual Plan preparations and by a Committee of officers appointed by the Ministry of Agriculture. During the past three years an additional area of about 1.1 lakh ha under freshwater aquaculture and 0.026 lakh ha under brackishwater aquaculture has been covered under the aquaculture schemes. The norms adopted for assessment include coverage of water areas, number of fish farmers/fishermen trained, yield/hectare, etc.

(c) &(d): The Aquaculture Authority set up in pursuance of the directions of the Supreme Court, regulates prawn culture activities in coastal areas in an eco-friendly manner. The Authority has also evolved guidelines to adopt improved technology by the traditional shrimp farmers for increased production. The Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) is operating schemes for upgradation of seafood processing units. State-wise details of freezing plants that are in the process of upgradation are given in the Annexure. About 25% of the processing units (95 nos.) have been already upgraded to meet the export standards of European Union (EU) and the remaining units are to be upgraded in the near future.