CM Maryam launches largest shrimp farming pilot project in Pakistan’s history

Muzaffargarh: Chief Minister of Punjab, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, announced incentives for shrimp farming. She has set a target of 100,000 acres for shrimp farming in Punjab.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif visited the shrimp farming pilot project in the northern Jhallaren area near Muzaffargarh.

The Chief Minister inspected the pilot project and personally observed the shrimp in the ponds, even feeding them. She also took an aerial tour of the project and inaugurated the Pilot Project for Adaptive Research on Shrimp Farming.

“There is a huge demand for shrimp worldwide, and we must take advantage of it,” said Maryam Nawaz Sharif. She mentioned that foreign exchange earnings could reach up to 1 billion dollars through shrimp farming across 100,000 acres. She further stated that shrimp farming can yield up to a 40% profit margin.

She added that barren and unused lands in South Punjab will be made productive through shrimp farming, and farmers and investors will be provided with leased land and incentives.

The government will also provide seeds, feed, and necessary equipment for shrimp farming.

Senior Minister Maryam Aurangzeb and her team were praised by the Chief Minister for their efforts on the shrimp farming project.

The Chief Minister was briefed about the pilot project, with details highlighting that it offers internship and job market opportunities for young people.

The Department of Fisheries completed the shrimp farming pilot project within a record two-month period.

The first yield from the northern Jhallaren shrimp farming pilot project will be ready by October, and for the first time, shrimp farming is being done using 50% local and 50% foreign feed. The project on 100 acres is expected to produce 100 metric tons of shrimp.

The briefing further mentioned that shrimp farming would create job opportunities for 10,000 to 20,000 people. Under the supervision of Senior Minister Maryam Aurangzeb, the target of expanding shrimp aquaculture to 2,000 acres in Punjab is underway.

The goal is to further expand the area to 4,750 acres, aiming to increase exports by 50 million dollars in five years and 150 million dollars in ten years.

Additionally, the project includes capacity building for 600 farmers to ensure better production, along with the establishment of Punjab’s first Aquaculture Research and Development Center.

Non-cultivable and barren lands will be used for shrimp farming, and machinery and equipment needed for shrimp farming will also be made available on rent for farmers.

Senior Minister Pervez Rashid, Senior Minister Maryam Aurangzeb, Provincial Minister for Information and Culture Uzma Zahid Bukhari, Special Assistant Zeeshan Malik, MPA Sania Ashiq, along with other high-ranking officials, including the Chief Secretary, Chairman of Planning and Development, Secretary Wildlife and Fisheries, Additional Chief Secretary South, Additional IG South, Commissioner DG Khan, Deputy Commissioner, and ADC R were also present.