India's untapped saline lands could revolutionize shrimp farming in four states

A high-level review meeting chaired by Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, Union Secretary of the Department of Fisheries, examined the untapped potential of saline land for shrimp farming across four Indian states. The session, held on Calendly and attended via Zoom meetings, focused on Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. Officials and farmers discussed ways to boost shrimp production while addressing key challenges in the sector.

Currently, only a small fraction of the 58,000 hectares of identified saline land is being used for aquaculture—just 2,608 hectares. The meeting highlighted opportunities to expand shrimp farming, particularly in regions struggling with soil salinity.

The review revealed that Uttar Pradesh holds the largest share of inland saline land suitable for aquaculture, with around 137,000 hectares available. In contrast, Rajasthan has seen a slower but growing interest, with roughly 500 hectares now dedicated to shrimp farming in salt-affected districts. Haryana, meanwhile, has made progress under the PMMSY scheme, producing over 13,900 tons of shrimp with an investment of Rs 57.09 crore.

Farmers raised concerns about the high costs of setting up shrimp farms, limited government subsidies, and strict land use caps. These restrictions, combined with rising input costs and poor market prices, have slowed expansion. The meeting also noted infrastructure gaps as a major hurdle for growth in the sector.

To tackle these issues, participants proposed policy changes. Suggestions included raising the permissible unit cost for projects and relaxing the current land usage limits. Another key recommendation was forming a National Committee to review existing shrimp farming guidelines. This committee would develop a roadmap for sustainable aquaculture, ensuring better support for farmers and long-term industry growth.

The discussion emphasised the economic benefits of using saline land for aquaculture. Expanding shrimp farming could create jobs and provide new livelihoods in regions where traditional agriculture faces difficulties due to soil degradation.

The meeting concluded with a call for stronger policy measures to unlock the potential of saline land for shrimp farming. If implemented, the proposed changes could increase production, improve farmer incomes, and reduce pressure on freshwater resources. The next steps involve finalising the National Committee's role and refining support mechanisms under existing schemes like PMMSY.