Saline Aquaculture in India
Why in news?
Recently, the Government of India proposed its interest in implementing saline aquaculture.
- Saline aquaculture provides a sustainable solution to utilise degraded, salt-affected lands for fish and shrimp farming, especially in inland areas of North India.
What is saline aquaculture?
- Saline aquaculture involves farming aquatic organisms which include fish, shrimp, molluscs, and aquatic plants. It is mostly practiced on saline-affected inland lands, which are otherwise unsuitable for traditional agriculture.
- It plays an important role in boosting aquaculture production and enhances rural employment and livelihood opportunities.
India’s Aquaculture Potential
- India is the 2nd largest producer of cultured shrimp globally
- Shrimp exports contribute 65% of India’s seafood export value
- Out of 58,000 hectares of identified saline land across 4 states, only 2,608 hectares are currently utilized
Key Measures to Promote Saline Aquaculture
Policy Reforms
- Increase land use limit from 2 hectares to 5 hectares
- Formation of a National-Level Committee to prepare a long-term strategy
Infrastructure & Marketing
- Proposal for an Integrated Aqua Park in Sirsa (Haryana) to improve cold chain and marketing systems
Technology & Outreach
- Use of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) for identifying potential saline zones
- Promotion of field-level demonstrations and technical capacity building of farmers
Prelims Practice Question
With reference to saline aquaculture in India, consider the following statements:
- Saline aquaculture utilises coastal marine zones for large-scale fish farming.
- India is the second-largest producer of cultured shrimp globally.
- Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) play a key role in promoting inland saline aquaculture.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Answer: B. 2 and 3 only
Note: Statement 1 is incorrect—saline aquaculture refers to inland, non-coastal saline-affected lands, not marine zones.
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