1 week ago
Bengal’s Untapped Prawn Potential Could Unlock Rs 10,000-Crore Economy
West Bengal has many areas where prawns could be raised in slightly salty water.
Only a small part of these areas is being used for commercial prawn farming.
Seafood industry representative Rajarshi Banerji says better farming methods could create a seafood economy worth nearly Rs 10,000 crore.
He says the industry could also provide jobs for four-five lakh people.
However, farmers need permission and clear rules before expanding aquaculture.
The industry does not want illegal conversion of farmland into ponds.
Farmers also need registrations and tracking systems to sell prawns in international markets.
High electricity prices in West Bengal make farming more expensive than in some other states.
West Bengal could develop a seafood economy worth nearly Rs 10,000 crore through scientific prawn cultivation.
The state has nearly four lakh hectares with potential for fish and prawn farming, but only a fraction is being used.
West Bengal produces about 80,000 tonnes of prawns annually, compared with nearly eight lakh tonnes in Andhra Pradesh.
Industry representative Rajarshi Banerji estimates expanded aquaculture could create jobs for four-five lakh people and increase rural incomes.
The industry is seeking clearer regulations, easier farm registration, improved traceability, and lower electricity costs while opposing illegal land conversion.
- Who
- Seafood industry representative Rajarshi Banerji and the Seafood Exporters Association of India are advocating expanded scientific prawn cultivation in West Bengal.
- What
- The proposal is to expand regulated aquaculture and develop a seafood economy potentially worth nearly Rs 10,000 crore.
- Where
- West Bengal, particularly the North and South 24 Parganas and East Midnapore districts.
- When
- Banerji said Commerce and Industry Minister Tapas Roy asked him to meet again this month to discuss the sector’s concerns.
- Why
- The industry says underused brackish-water resources could increase employment, rural incomes, seafood production, and exports if regulatory and operational barriers are addressed.
Industry Expansion
Regulatory Safeguards
Use of agricultural land for aquaculture
Industry Expansion
The industry wants permission to convert agricultural land into waterbodies for aquaculture during a valid lease, subject to safeguards.
Regulatory Safeguards
Expansion must not encourage illegal or unregulated conversion of agricultural land; any permission should operate within a clearly defined regulatory framework.
Government support priorities
Industry Expansion
The industry says it is not seeking subsidies but clearer regulations that make scientific aquaculture easier and help farmers meet export requirements.
Regulatory Safeguards
Regulation must also protect compliance standards, including mandatory farm registration and traceability, because non-compliant farms may lose access to overseas markets.
Key facts
- Estimated economic potential
- Nearly Rs 10,000 crore
- Potential cultivation area
- Nearly four lakh hectares in West Bengal
- Current annual production
- Around 80,000 tonnes in West Bengal
- Andhra Pradesh production
- Nearly eight lakh tonnes annually
- Potential employment
- Four-five lakh people
- Electricity cost in West Bengal
- Around Rs 11 per unit, compared with roughly Rs 5 in Odisha and Rs 6 in Andhra Pradesh
- Export requirements
- Aquaculture farm registration and traceability of farmed produce
Quotes
Rajarshi Banerji
Seafood Exporters Association of India national board member and West Bengal Regional Committee spokesperson
“West Bengal produces around 80,000 tonnes annually, while Andhra Pradesh produces nearly eight lakh tonnes”
thestatesman.com
“Farmers can cultivate, but without meeting traceability and registration requirements, they cannot export”
thestatesman.com
Sources
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