Shrimp farming is an emerging enterprise in Andaman and Nicobar Islands as few farmers have started venturing into this remunerative business in South Andaman. The two educated youths namely, Mr. P. Aqueel Anaz and Mr. Syed Anaz Ahmed with their passion for aquapreneurship started their shrimp aquaculture activity at Brindaban, South Andaman during the year 2023. They started this venture in the Andaman Islands with the prior hands-on training and exposure obtained in the shrimp farms at Nellore, Andhra Pradesh. However, the initial phase of their shrimp culture at the Andaman Islands has not turned up to their expectations as they have ended up with consequent mass mortality of the stocked shrimp seeds (Penaeus vannamei) in their shrimp ponds with a loss of around Rs. 3 Lakhs. Inspite of the initial failure, their zeal towards aquapreneurship has not faded away, and planned to try once again with the support of learned professionals in the field. They have contacted the Scientists of Division of Fisheries Science of ICAR-CIARI for technical support through the Officials of KVK, South Andaman and the Department of Fisheries, Andaman and Nicobar Administration.
The team of Scientists from Division of Fisheries Science of ICAR-CIARI(K. Saravanan and J. Praveenraj) has provided the technical backstopping on better management practices, diseases, health, feeding, and water quality management in shrimp culture. They also participated in the capacity building program conducted by ICAR-CIARI on various aspects of aquaculture and better management practices including fish and shellfish diseases and their health management. As per the advice of Scientists from Division of Fisheries Science of ICAR-CIARI, they have also started using the mobile application, “Report Fish Disease” developed under the National Surveillance Programme for Aquatic Animal Diseases (NSPAAD) project to know about the fish and shrimp diseases and their management and also towards real-time reporting of the diseases.
Due to their concerted efforts with technical backstopping of CIARI Scientist’s, they could harvest 3.2 tonnes of shrimp by stocking 1.5 Lakhs post larvae. The production was achieved from two shrimp ponds comprising 6000 m2 area in a single crop spanning for four months. The total revenue of Rs. 14.61 Lakhs and net profit of Rs. 5 Lakhs achieved in a single crop has increased their confidence level to expand their entity further. Now, they are planning to expand the shrimp culture from the existing area of 6000 m2 to 10000 m2 and also to establish four numbers of Recirculatory Aquaculture Systems of 100 m3 each. It is reiterated that proper interventions on better management practices shall revolutionize the shrimp aquaculture sector and augment the productivity in Island aquaculture. Recently during the Kisan Mela of ICAR-CIARI held during 20th to 21st March 2024, the youths were recognised with an appreciation award for their good work as the young entrepreneurs.
Contributors : K. Saravanan, J. Praveenraj, R. Kiruba Sankar, Chittaranjan Raul, S.K. Zamir Ahmed & Y. Ramakrishna
