Scampi farming in India is poised for a renaissance, with the Prime Minister Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) scheme taking center stage in revitalizing this once-thriving industry. PMMSY is committed to uplifting scampi farmers and strengthening the aquaculture sector, breathing new life into an industry that has faced a decline in recent years.
One of the key drivers of this revival is the pioneering research conducted by ICAR-CIFA (Indian Council of Agricultural Research – Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture). Their groundbreaking work led to the development of CIFA-GI SCAMPI®, a genetically improved strain of the freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii. This development has played a vital role in enhancing scampi productivity and profitability.
The journey began in 2007 when ICAR-CIFA collaborated with WorldFish, Malaysia, to implement a systematic selective breeding program for scampi. This ambitious program spanned 14 generations and involved the careful selection of scampi populations from various regions of India, including Gujarat, Kerala, and Odisha. Through rigorous genetic selection processes, ICAR-CIFA successfully developed the fast-growing strain known as CIFA-GI Scampi®, which received official registration in 2020, marking a significant milestone in aquaculture.
PMMSY employs a multifaceted approach to boost the aquaculture sector in India. It aims to enhance farming practices, promote modern technology adoption, facilitate capacity building and skill development, offer financial support for farm establishment and infrastructure improvement, and foster overall growth and prosperity in aquaculture. ICAR-CIFA has received funding support of Rs 4 Crores from PMMSY to upscale the genetic selection program and strengthen the seed value chain by supplying improved broodstock to a network of multiplier hatcheries.
In addition to genetic improvements, ICAR-CIFA is actively demonstrating the polyculture of scampi with carp farming. Farmers like Mr. Bata Krushna Jena from Odisha’s Jajpur District have reported exceptional results, achieving a yield of 950 kg/ha of ‘CIFA-GI scampi’ and 7530 kg/ha of carp in just seven months. This success underscores the potential of carp-scampi polyculture, offering promising opportunities for fish farmers across the state.
The country has witnessed a remarkable 2.5-fold increase in scampi production, soaring from 8,303 to 21,317 tonnes in the past year. To support this rapid expansion, ICAR-CIFA has designated five scampi hatcheries as multiplier hatcheries responsible for producing CIFA-GI SCAMPI® seeds and supplying them to farmers. They plan to add more hatcheries to their network with an ambitious target of bringing 25,000 ha under scampi farming by 2026, as stated by Dr. P.K. Sahoo, Director of ICAR-CIFA.