Prawn farming poised to flourish in Batticaloa

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

The government commenced prawn farming in the Batticaloa district. About 150 acres have been allocated for this. A prawn breeding centre was established at a cost of over Rs.80 million, said Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Dr.Rajitha Senaratne.

The prawn farming project was launched utilizing advanced technology. It will help to bring more foreign exchange to the country, he said.

"We established a prawn breeding centre in Batticaloa. It has been targeted to produce around 20 million prawn fingerlings annually.

'Pilot projects of prawns farming have commenced in Valachchenai, Ottamawadi and Kokkadichola areas in the Batticaloa district," the minister said.

The National Aquaculture Development Authority (NAQDA) is implementing the farming project funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) under the inspection of the Water Resource Development and Quality Promotion Project. The prawn breeding centre is managed by the King Aqua Services (PVT) Ltd. The Fisheries Ministry will also establish a prawn farm in the Wattawan area, Wakarai. Around 30 fisher families will benefit under the project.

Infrastructure facilities will be developed in these areas. Rs.70 million will be spent on these projects under the Post Tsunami Coast Rehabilitation and Resource Management Project, Minister Senaratne said.