Knowledge level of shrimp farmers on better management practices (BMPs) of Penaeus vannamei farming: a comparative assessment of east and west coasts of India

Abstract

Shrimp farmers need to have adequate knowledge and adopt better management practices (BMPs) for successful crop production. A study conducted among 240 proportionate random sample of shrimp farmers along the east and west coasts of the country has revealed that mean knowledge level of respondents was 52 and 44% respectively which needs improvement. Therefore, public-public and public-private partnership models integrating the efforts of research and development agencies, farmers groups and input companies need to be implemented for the capacity enhancement, increased access to quality inputs and services for the farmers. East coast has utilised 16% of its potential area and contributed 91% of country’s shrimp production while west coast developed only 4% of potential area and contributed 9%. Limited access to quality inputs and services constrained their production vis-a-vis potential in the west coast. It is suggested that a strategic aquaculture development plan for the west coast states of India involving aquaculture research and development agencies as well as input companies is the urgent need of the hour for developing hatcheries, diagnostic laboratories, recommending location specific production systems and better management practices to enhance the capacity of farmers and production in the west coast states.