Kochi: The trial farming of the exotic litopenaeus vannamei aka vannamei shrimp conducted by the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS) has proved that the white-legged shrimp can be cultured successfully in Kerala’s brackish water ecosystem.
The harvesting of the pilot culture of the shrimp variety recorded a huge success with an 85 per cent survival rate.
KUFOS launched the trial farming in four ponds at its regional station in Puthuvype in March. As part of this, 40,000 specific pathogen free (SPF) seeds were released into one pond with an area of 1,000 square metre.
After 94 days, 650 kg of vannamei were harvested on Saturday from one pond alone. The trial farming proved that 5.5 to six tonnes could be produced from one hectare, earning a profit of Rs 14 lakh.
According to scientists, the newly developed farming model by KUFOS is suitable to pokkali fields as well. During the farming, KUFOS maintained a reservoir and an effluent treatment system (ETS) and set up bio-fencing, bird fencing, crab fencing and other biosecurity measures.
Minister for fisheries K. Babu inaugurated the harvest festival at Puthuvype in the presence of shrimp farmers, fishery scientists, researchers and students.
The minister said the success of the pilot culture of vannamei shrimp would usher in ‘vannamei revolution’ in the state. “The positive result will definitely change the lives of shrimp farmers in Kerala. The newly developed farming model will be extended to other parts of the state. The fisheries department will use two acres of farm in Poyya, Thrissur, for culturing vannamei,” he said.
KUFOS vice-chancellor Dr B. Madhusoodana Kurup said the university would transfer the technology and farming model to more farmers.
