Cost effective indigenous shrimp feed technology developed by CIBA.

Abstract

The contribution of fish to global diets has reached a record of almost 17 kg per person on an average, supplying over three billion people with at least 15 percent of their average animal protein intake. This increase is mainly due to the ever-growing production of aquaculture which is set to overtake capture fisheries as a source of food fish (FAO, 2011, http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/50260/icode/). In India, as per the MPEDA's figures for the year 2009-10, out of the total Indian fishery export to the value of Rs. 10,048 crores about 24 % (Rs. 2398 crores) has been contributed by the aquacultured shrimp. The significant increase in aquaculture production must be supported by a corresponding increase in the production of formulated feeds for the increase in targeted shrimp production. The sustainability and profitability of commercial aquaculture operations depend largely on feeds as they constitute over 50 percent of operating costs. In India, modern shrimp farming, as monoculture, has shown marked growth in the past two decades and has emerged as a commercial enterprise. In consonance with this, shrimp feed market has shown impressive growth of more than 1,00,000 tonnes per annum during this period.