Prospective impact of Corona virus disease (COVID-19) related lockdown on shrimp aquaculture sector in India – a sectoral assessment

Abstract

The lockdown on account of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) adversely impacted the food production sector including aquaculture, globally. Unfortunately, it coincided with the major shrimp farming season in India which contributes 60% of the national annual shrimp production hence the impact was substantial. An on-line survey was carried out among the stakeholders of the shrimp farming sector to evaluate the prospective impact of COVID-19 related lockdown across the shrimp supply chain. The study estimated an economic loss of 1.50 billion USD to the shrimp aquaculture sector during the current year. It is expected that shrimp production and its export performance may be declining by 40% in the current season. The Garret ranking and Rank Based Quotient analyses projected severe constraints in shrimp seed production and supply, disruptions in the supply chain, logistics, farming, processing, marketing and loss of employment and income for the workers due to the pandemic. To mitigate the impact, the Government of India declared fisheries and aquaculture as an essential activity, facilitated the movement of inputs and services. Further, a major Fisheries Development Scheme(PMMSY) with a financial outlay of 267 million USD has been announced to usher in a blue revolution by strengthening the value chain, doubling the fisher/farmer income, employment generation, economic and social security for fishers/fish farmers adhering to the sustainability principles. Short and medium-term technical and policy measures are suggested to tide over the impact of COVID-19 related lockdown and related restrictions.

Emerging COVID-19 impacts, responses, and lessons for building resilience in the seafood system

“… Immediate research needs: To complement price and production data, use survey tools to document and better understand COVID-19 impacts on people working at all levels in seafood value chains and seafood consumers in order to direct support to vulnerable actors in the seafood system. Examples of this work include: ( Smith et al, 2020 ; Rosen, 2020 ; van Senten ; Kumaran et al, 2020 ; Campbell et al, 2020 ; Seshagiri et al et al ; Giannakis et al, 2020 ; Steenbergen et al, 2020 ; Sorensen et al, 2020 ) Document and share case-experiences of actors in the value chain that have adapted to shifts in supply and demand of seafood so lessons from their strategies can be more widely adopted. Examples of this work include: ( Stoll et al, 2020 ; Smith et al, 2020 ) Improve open data and data sharing platforms to facilitate the exchange of information about the societal impacts of COVID-19, to enable more rapid and coordinated responses to future shocks.…”

“…To complement price and production data, use survey tools to document and better understand COVID-19 impacts on people working at all levels in seafood value chains and seafood consumers in order to direct support to vulnerable actors in the seafood system. Examples of this work include: ( Smith et al, 2020 ; Rosen, 2020 ; van Senten ; Kumaran et al, 2020 ; Campbell et al, 2020 ; Seshagiri et al et al ; Giannakis et al, 2020 ; Steenbergen et al, 2020 ; Sorensen et al, 2020 )…”

Development of top-dressing automation technology for sustainable shrimp aquaculture in India

“…Global trends in antimicrobial use, antibiotics resistance, and health of shrimp gut microbiome and emerging diseases are major constraints in the shrimp industry today [ 67 – 69 ]. Moreover, the transfer of complex technical messages is problematic and requires continuous attention and extension as most farmers have relatively limited education [ 3 ]. Farmers must be adequately trained on new aquaculture technologies relevant to operations and on-farm top-dressing practices.…”

“…Shrimp exports in India are increased by 16.21% (4,34,484 metric tons) during 2016-17. The Garret ranking and Rank Based Quotient analyses projected severe constraints in the shrimp aquaculture sector in India due to COVID-19 related lockdown [3]. However, a wide gap between the demand and supply increases global shrimp markets and overexploitation from coastal water [4].…”

Impact of COVID-19 on Indian Seafood Industry and Potential Measures for Recovery: A Mini-review

“…Many remedies are being taken, and INR 20 lakh crores under the "Atma-Nirbhar Bharat" (Self-Reliant India) plan announced by the prime minister will definitely benefit the fisheries sector as well [45]. Additionally, the launch of Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) is expected to facilitate a "Blue Revolution" by strengthening the fisheries sector of India [46]. The implementation period of this scheme (with an outlay of INR 20,050 crores) is 5 years.…”