Shrimp Farming Pilot Project
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has launched the Shrimp Farming Pilot Project. It is looking at promoting one lakh acres of barren land in the entire province. The Whole Program has a main advancement that initiated within the ambit of the country’s aquaculture. This is going to transform barren lands into productive farms, and they promise to give an impressive boost to the economy and job opportunities. With the international demand for shrimp positively surging, it’s time to optimize the vast value available in and put Pakistan in a privileged position in the international seafood market. Shrimp aquaculture is also known as shrimp farming because it involves the raising of it in controlled environments for commercial purposes. It has gained popularity globally with its profitability and increased demand for seafood. It is one of the most consumed seafood products globally, hence it is a lucrative venture for the farmers and investors.
In Pakistan, it is also an activity long bypassed because of poor infrastructure, minimal technical know-how, and an unavailability of quality inputs. However, with the recent launch of the Pilot Shrimp Farming Project aimed at assisting those interested in acquiring proper inputs and support mechanisms for their venture, the scenario is changing fast.
پنجاب کی وزیر اعلیٰ مریم نواز شریف نے شرمپ فارمنگ پائلٹ پروجیکٹ کا آغاز کیا ہے، جس کا مقصد ایک لاکھ ایکڑ بنجر زمین کو آبی زراعت کے لیے استعمال میں لانا ہے۔ یہ منصوبہ پاکستان کی معیشت اور روزگار کے مواقع میں بہتری لانے کے ساتھ ساتھ غیر استعمال شدہ زمین کو زرخیز بنانے میں مدد دے گا۔ عالمی سطح پر جھینگے کی بڑھتی ہوئی مانگ کے پیش نظر، یہ منصوبہ پاکستان کو بین الاقوامی سمندری خوراک کی منڈی میں نمایاں مقام دلانے میں معاون ہوگا۔ شرمپ فارمنگ، جو کہ ایک منافع بخش صنعت ہے، ماضی میں ناقص بنیادی ڈھانچے اور تکنیکی مہارت کی کمی کے باعث نظر انداز کی گئی تھی۔ تاہم، اس نئے منصوبے کے ذریعے کسانوں اور سرمایہ کاروں کو درکار معاونت فراہم کی جا رہی ہے تاکہ وہ اس شعبے میں کامیابی حاصل کر سکیں۔
Overview of Project
Launch and Site
The Program will be ascertained as Pakistan’s biggest with 100 acres at an initial stage, while this initiative will be picked up with other major chunks in due course of time. It launched in Jhalarin North, Muzaffargarh.
Objectives of the Project
The basic objectives of the Shrimp Farming Pilot Project Punjab Pakistan are :
- Increasing Production of Aquaculture: This will increase the production of it by using modern farming methods and aquaculture-based culture.
- Filling Barren Lands: Making productive use of underutilized barren lands located in southern Punjab for aquaculture.
- Creation of Employment: At least 10,000 to 20,000 jobs will be generated locally for employment due to this complete scheme.
- Increase in Foreign Exchange Earnings: The project will significantly boost foreign exchange earnings due to the tapping of the global market.
Sources of Finance
The Shrimp Farming Pilot program is subsidized through various incentives by the government to attract farmers and investors. These are:
- Land Allocation: Land for farms will be issued on a minimum lease basis for shrimp farming.
- Supportive Inputs: All these essential inputs, including seed, feed, and others like equipment for shrimp culture, would be provided by the government.
- Training: The locals would be offered training so that they could have the necessary skills to ensure their culture.
حکومت اس پروگرام کو سبسڈی دے رہی ہے تاکہ کسانوں اور سرمایہ کاروں کو متوجہ کیا جا سکے۔ اس کے تحت شرمپ فارمنگ کے لیے کم از کم لیز پر زمین، ضروری سامان جیسے بیج، خوراک اور دیگر آلات فراہم کیے جائیں گے۔ مزید برآں، مقامی افراد کو ضروری مہارتیں سکھانے کے لیے تربیت دی جائے گی۔
Farming Techniques Shrimp Farming Pilot program
The pilot utilizes modern Shrimp Farming Pilot program that integrate both local knowledge and the best international practices. Some of these areas are:
- Pond Construction: Designed ponds that fully avail the shrimp of optimal conditions of growth.
- Water Management: This encompasses the practices of water management and involves ensuring that the quality of water is maintained to provide an environment in which can grow healthy.
- Feeding Practices: Maintaining good nutrition balance by the use of 50% local feed and 50% of the imported feed in the plan.
Shrimp Demand is High
It has been initiated in Punjab because the demand for this is increasing globally. Punjab is well-equipped to fulfill international demands for this as there is an area of one lakh acres solely devoted to this plan. Firm steps were taken by the administration to give quality of all other facilities so that farms can be run efficiently so that Punjab can become a power player in the international market.
Government Support for the Shrimp Farming Pilot Project
There is vast support from the government related to the Shrimp Farming Pilot program. This scheme is expected to make as much as one billion dollars in profit. Not only the investors will benefit from this venture but it will also improve the various fields of the province. As there is a 40% chance to earn a profit from this venture, investors find it very lucrative. For example, according to this project, the number of businesses in Punjab is expected to rise, due to which the economy of the province will also increase.
Research and Development
The focus of this should be on research and development. Full-time Aquaculture Research and Development Center would be established to support continuing research and development for the farmers through undertaking studies of best practices in effective farm techniques adapted to regional conditions. This involves coming up with designs concerning diseases that may impact the population of it. Sustainability Practice environment for it.
Economic Benefits of the Shrimp Farming Pilot program
- Foreign exchange earnings of between $1 billion.
- The national economy is to be improved significantly
- Gives employment to 10,000-20,000 people in the region.
- It gives stable earnings to the locals
- Underdeveloped lands are being utilized as productive shrimp farms with the promotion of sustainable agriculture.
- Provides training of nearly 600 farmers on modern shrimp farming methods.
- An Aquaculture Research and Development Centre is to be established for innovation and best practices in it.
- Its exports from $50 million to $150 million are proposed to be scaled up within ten years through attaining international standards of quality.
- The Punjab government shall provide land, financial support, and resources for implementing such a project successfully.
شرمپ فارمنگ پروگرام نمایاں اقتصادی فوائد فراہم کرتا ہے، جس میں ایک ارب ڈالر تک زرمبادلہ کمانے اور قومی معیشت کو مستحکم کرنے کی صلاحیت شامل ہے۔ یہ منصوبہ 10,000 سے 20,000 افراد کے لیے روزگار کے مواقع پیدا کرے گا اور مقامی افراد کو مستحکم آمدنی فراہم کرے گا۔ بنجر زمینوں کو زرخیز بنا کر پائیدار زراعت کو فروغ دیا جائے گا۔ تقریباً 600 کسانوں کو جدید شرمپ فارمنگ کے طریقوں کی تربیت دی جائے گی۔ ایک ایکواکلچر ریسرچ اینڈ ڈیولپمنٹ سینٹر قائم کیا جائے گا تاکہ جدت اور بہترین طریقے اپنائے جا سکیں۔ برآمدات کو 10 سال میں 50 ملین ڈالر سے 150 ملین ڈالر تک بڑھانے کا ہدف مقرر کیا گیا ہے۔ پنجاب حکومت اس منصوبے کے لیے زمین، مالی امداد اور وسائل فراہم کرے گی تاکہ اس کی کامیاب تکمیل یقینی بنائی جا سکے۔
Conclusion
For Pakistan, the Shrimp Farming Pilot program will present a giant leap in the industry of aquaculture with many benefits that are certainly not limited to economic gains only. It can revive a local community while bringing in positive contributions to the national economy through the reclamation of barren lands, creating employment opportunities, increasing the possibilities of exports, and further investment in research and training.
