Indian Prawn Farming

India’s Prawn Aquaculture Significance: India is the world’s third-largest aquaculture producer and second-largest in prawn production, contributing significantly to nutrition and the economy.

Growth: Prawn production in India has seen a 17% annual growth rate, driven by domestic and export demand.

Demand: Prawns, especially black tiger prawns (Penaeus monodon), are in high demand due to their high protein and low fat content. Optimal salinity for prawn cultivation is 10-25 grams/litre.

Leading Producers: Andhra Pradesh is the largest prawn producer, followed by West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, and Gujarat.

Innovative Farming Practices: Farmers are adopting innovative practices like using smaller ponds to improve yields and reduce the risk of economic losses from pathogen outbreaks.

Disease Challenges: Bacterial infections (e.g., Vibrio harveyi) and viral outbreaks (e.g., white spot syndrome) can cause significant yield losses (up to 25% annually).

Disease Control Measures:

• Plastic nets to prevent crow-borne contamination.
• Probiotics (Bacillus bacteria) to outcompete harmful pathogens.
• ICAR-CIBA’s development of ‘specific pathogen free’ broodstock.
• Phage therapy using bacteriophages to target Vibrio bacteria.

Brackish Water Sourcing: Brackish groundwater is often blended with freshwater in coastal Andhra Pradesh. In other regions such as the Midnapore district of West Bengal, seawater is brought into the ponds during high tide.

Pond Management: Typical ponds are emptied and dried after 4-6 month cycles for preparation of the next harvest.