The Punjab government has launched its largest-ever shrimp farming project as part of a plan to turn underused land into a new export industry and strengthen the province’s blue economy.
A survey conducted with the help of foreign experts has identified around 40,000 potential sites for shrimp farming across Punjab. An in-principle approval has also been given for preparing a plan to develop shrimp farms across 30,000 acres in the province.
The first major infrastructure is planned at Ali Wala, where a hatchery with an annual capacity of 280 million shrimp will be established across 5,300 acres containing 737 ponds. Two processing plants with capacities of 10 tonnes and five tonnes per hour are also planned at the site.
The government is also developing Pakistan’s first aquaculture mall at Shah Garh, which will provide farmers with shrimp seed, feed and rental machinery. A diagnostic laboratory with chemistry, pathology and microbiology facilities and a training center will also be established at Ali Wala.
Shrimp farming has already started on around 5,500 acres across 1,000 farms in Punjab, with trial production under way in Muzaffargarh and Sargodha. The government plans to expand the project to Sargodha, including a 500 acre farm with 167 ponds.
Punjab is also introducing automated machinery, including harvesters and auto feeders, along with modern monitoring systems. Officials said the technology had produced successful results during trials at Shah Garh, while 100 people have already received training in modern shrimp farming techniques.
The government plans to gradually bring the private sector into the project and involve university graduates and local farmers. Hybrid solar energy systems will also be installed to meet the power requirements of shrimp farms.
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