Study on socio-economic profile of shrimp farmers of Gujarat State, India

Abstract

Shrimp aquaculture has been practiced in India for centuries in a traditional manner in a certain coastal state, but made its presence felt by contributing to the socio-economic development of the country only in recent years. Shrimp farming activities have developed fast in Gujarat since last decade. Numbers of shrimp farms have been constructed in the coastal districts of the state. The fishermen of coastal districts along with other entrepreneurs have also taken up this shrimp farming business. Shrimp farming activities have also generated employment along the coastline. As this sector is growing with good pace and state is earning valuable foreign exchange it is necessary to study socio-economic profile of shrimp farmers. Socio economic profile of the shrimp farmers of the state was studied by visiting the shrimp farmers of each farming district in person. A case study was also carried out on pond performance of shrimp farmers of the state to analyze the economy of their farming operation. From the socio-economic study of the shrimp farmer it could be observed that majority of the shrimp farmers of the state are literate, experienced and interested in the shrimp farming business seriously. It could also be concluded that shrimp farming has contributed significantly in employment generation and infrastructure development of the coastal community and overall development of the coastal areas. It could be observed from the present study that pond performance of shrimp farmers was economically viable and they had very good income during this crop.