The government will sign an agreement with the Marine Products Exports and Development Authority (MPEDA) for procurement of four varieties of fish seed by the end of April.
Commissioner of Fisheries Department Ram Sankar Naik said the MPEDA authorities had agreed to supply Tilapia, Red Tilapia, Asian Seabass and Wild Crab seeds through its Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Aquaculture units.
The MPEDA, in return, will offer better marketing options to farmers engaged in brackish water and freshwater aquaculture.
“The government considers the aquaculture sector as a growth sector. An expert committee will be constituted to study the existing conditions and needs of aqua industry in coastal Andhra Pradesh to improve the quality of fish production,” Mr. Ram Sankar added.
Representatives of the Central Institute of Brackish Water Aquaculture, Central Institute of Fresh Water Aquaculture and Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University and a progressive farmer will be members of the Committee.
Fisheries Policy
The government is all set to announce its new Fisheries Policy this month, according to Mr. Ram Sankar.
“The policy will focus on collaborative efforts with academic institutions to give a fillip to the aqua industry, a major source of income for the government,” he added.
MPEDA to supply Tilapia, Red Tilapia, Asian Seabass and Wild Crab seeds through its Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Aquaculture units
