Punjab Government first state level ‘'Prawn Fair or Shrimp Mela’ began on 17th February 2023 at Enakheda village in Muktsar district.
Key Highlights :
* This mela is an effort of the state government to create more awareness about shrimp farming.
* This fair is being organized to make farmers aware of various schemes for fish farming and to encourage more and more people to participate in it.
* In this, experts will help farmers understand about aquaculture.
* Shrimp farming started in the state in 2016-17.
What is shrimp farming?
* It is an aquaculture based activity in marine or freshwater to produce shrimp for human consumption.
* Five south-western districts of Punjab, Muktsar, Fazilka, Ferozepur, Bathinda and Faridkot are known for shrimp farming.
Why was shrimp farming started in Punjab?
* South-west Punjab has saline groundwater which is not suitable for agriculture. Waterlogging is a perennial problem in this belt.
* Therefore, shrimp farming was proposed as a solution for farmers whose land was lying unutilized.
* Prawn cultivation was started in 2016-17 on a one acre plot in Ratta Kheda village of Muktsar district.
* The project was a success, with a one-acre pond producing four tons of shrimp.
* The project was funded jointly by the central and state government.
* By 2022-23, a total of 1,212 acres of land will be covered under shrimp farming in southwest Punjab, with a total production of 2,413 tonnes of shrimp...
Source : Indian Express