Govt Pledges to Transform Shrimp Farming into Major Export Industry

ISLAMABAD: The government has pledged to transform shrimp farming and aquaculture into a major export-oriented industry, as it moves to tap the huge potential of Pakistan’s coastal resources.

The commitment came during the first meeting of the Aquaculture and Shrimp Value Chain Sub-Committee, held in Islamabad under the chairmanship of Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Junaid Anwar Chaudhry.

The meeting reviewed the current status of shrimp production and outlined measures to increase output and exports. The minister said the existing $62 million in shrimp exports recorded last fiscal year does not reflect the country’s true potential.

Chaudhry said the government will focus on building blocks for modern shrimp farming, including provision of quality seed, standardized feed and robust disease prevention mechanisms.

He said compliance with international quality, health and safety standards is mandatory to gain access to high-value markets including the United States, China and Europe.

The sub-committee has been tasked to develop a roadmap for cluster-based shrimp farming in Sindh and Balochistan, with facilitation for private investment in hatcheries, feed mills and processing infrastructure.