Odisha signs lease pact for Shrimp Culture project in Kendrapara

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government, on Saturday, signed a lease agreement with Falcon Marine Exports for operation of Jagatjore Shrimp Culture Project in coastal district of Kendrapara

The Jagatjore-Banapada Shrimp Culture Project was executed by the State Fisheries Department with loan assistance from World Bank in year 2001. The cost of the project then was Rs 25.23 crore.

Shrimp culture became defunct:

• Rupees 81 lakh were provided to the Below Poverty Line (BPL) beneficiaries, under the Shrimp culture, as working capital.
• It was consisted of 405 ponds, each having 0.5 hectare area of water and 76 large ponds, each of one hectare area.
• The ponds were allotted to 405 beneficiaries of lower income group and the other 76 large ponds were allotted to 11 entrepreneurs.
• The project, however, became defunct as only one crop was partially successful and entrepreneurs and farmers sustained huge losses, said, Pradeep Kumar Maharathy, Fisheries and Animal Resource Development Minister.
• The sub loans and the leases given to beneficiaries were cancelled by the government.

Also Read: Maoist couple with bounty of Rs nine lakh on head surrenders

State ministry expects higher employment opportunities:

• Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Secretary, BR Sethi said, “it is expected that L Vannamei shrimp of about 2500 MT will be produced in the initial year with a value of about Rs 100 crore.
• “The success of the project will generate employment and interest among the farmers of the area for better aquaculture practices,” Sethi said.