CHANDIGARH, 29 May 2025: In a major policy move to utilize unproductive land and boost rural livelihoods, Haryana Agriculture Minister Shyam Singh Rana has called for the promotion of shrimp farming in waterlogged and saline-affected areas of the state.
At a high-level meeting with officials from the fisheries and agriculture departments, the minister reviewed progress under the Agriculture Sankalp Abhiyan and emphasized coordinated efforts to meet the state’s target of reclaiming 1 lakh acres of waterlogged land, as outlined in the state budget.
“Departments must collaborate and implement an action plan to convert waterlogged and saline lands into income-generating aquaculture zones,” Rana said, urging officials to expedite pond construction for shrimp cultivation.
Haryana, which faces challenges of soil salinity and seasonal waterlogging in several districts, sees an opportunity in aquaculture, especially shrimp farming, to convert degraded land into profitable farming enterprises.
The minister directed officials to prepare detailed implementation strategies and fast-track approvals for pond construction in these regions. The initiative is expected to significantly boost inland fisheries, create employment opportunities, and diversify farm incomes in rural Haryana.
The joint action plan will involve soil and water testing, training farmers in shrimp hatchery management, and providing subsidies for pond development, equipment, and inputs. The state will also tap into central fisheries schemes to finance parts of the mission.
Officials noted that some pilot shrimp farms have already shown promise in waterlogged belts of southern Haryana, and efforts are underway to replicate these across affected zones.
Image credit: skretting.com
