Perception of farmers about group action in prawn culture and an action plan for group farming

Abstract

Prawn farming in rural sector has immense scope for improvement in terms of the practices followed and utilisation of water bodies. Studies conducted by the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute in Ernakulam District in Kerala have revealed that there are many technological and socio-economic problems faced by farmers engaged in prawn production. Group farming in the present context refers to the farm management approach in which the prawn farmers of a contiguous area are organised to pool their land and resources. In this approach it is important that the individual farmer retains the right of ownership over the land, investment and the returns from his holdings. All the farming operations such as procurement of inputs, water mangement, eradication of pests, stocking of seed etc., are done simultaneously by the participating farmers. The technical advice can also be collectively availed. Thus management serves as a critical input and collective management forms the essence of group farming approach. In group farming, problems faced by individual farmers are eased out and solved through collective efforts