Agri Ministry seeking to double inland shrimp production

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha is seeking to double the production of inland shrimp in an effort to further enhance the country’s agricultural potential. Inland shrimp production currently stands at some 250,000 kilograms per annum. Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) is the only region in the country involved in inland shrimp production. Inland shrimp produce is commonly referred to as “black shrimp” or “Corentyne shrimp”. It has a high demand in the diaspora with prices reaching $20,000 for a five-gallon bucket.

A Berbice man throws out his cast net

However, there have been environmental concerns over the production of these shrimp with farmers breaching sea defences so that a percentage of saltwater can be added to the freshwater to improve the salinity. As such efforts are being made to ensure that inland shrimp production is done in both a sustainable and environmentally friendly way. These points were emphasised by Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha when he met with farmers on Saturday. He said the goal is to move production to 500,000 kilograms per annum.
“That entails a number of interventions that Government has to make.  We are doing this not only to increase your livelihood in terms of income. We are going this to increase the capacity of shrimp production in Region Six. And at the same time, it will help to create employment for people,” the Minister told fish farmers at Albion on Saturday. The Ministry will be ensuring that proper infrastructure is in place so that farmers can access seawater for their fish farms. Layout and the placement of conduct tubes are slated to be completed this week. That project is expected to cost $58 million.

The popular “black shrimp” also called “Corentyne shrimp”

“We will have to assign machinery and our technical people will be coming there and I want you to know that we will not compromise any sea defence,” Mustapha added.
Work is expected to commence this week.
Farmers whose operations threaten the sea defence will have to make the necessary adjustments.
According to the Minister, Government wants to further develop the shrimp industry.
The demand for inland shrimp from Guyana has resulted in business persons smuggling shrimp from neighbouring Suriname and using black hair die to colour the shrimp so that it looks like the “Corentyne black shrimp”.
However, the fake shrimp is seldom consumed locally but exported to North America.
“The aim of the Government is to develop the fish industry to ensure that we have more exports.”
The Minister noted that special markets will be targeted for the inland shrimp. He said jobs are also expected to be created in the process.
The aim is also to use more scientific methods to produce shrimp inland.
All the needed technical advice will be provided by the Ministry and arrangements are also being made to have fish feed produced locally. (G4)