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| Sunday, 10 October 2004 |
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Business |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Unauthorised prawn-farming threaten sales by Chanuka Mannapperuma The once-lucrative prawn-farming industry owes Rs.2 billion to eight leading Banks in the country. The major problems faced by the industry are water-pollution and unauthorised prawn farming. Unauthorised prawn farming is posing a threat to sales as people are reluctant to buy prawns since they are not sure of quality freshness. President, Consortium for the Development and Aqua Culture, David Edirisinghe said at the EDB -Export forum meeting last week. In 1998,the government funded approximately Rs.100 m for infrastructure development of the industry. This funding was also for restructuring and new technology framing. Well- planned water distribution methods which was in place in disarray due to lack of planning and the activities of illegal prawn farmers. Another problem the industry faces is the open sea mouth at 'Muthupanthiya' with a permanent structure,which is the breakwater to prevent water from seeping into the 'sand band'.Prawn-farming offers about 80,000 direct and indirect job opportunities,he added. "Our association was approved by the minister of fisheries. Under our association we have 480 farmers approved by the ministry of fisheries,but now there are 600 to 700 unauthorised farmers involved in prawn cultivation.They do not know how to prawn farm methodically" he said. "We have a very good demand both locally and internationally." Farmers are now exporting to Japan, US and EU countries", he said.The Consortium President said that prawn farming has now changed entirely. Members of the association said that representation have been made to the government that the Dutch canal be made usable,and unauthorised farmers be strictly prohibited from engaging in the activity. |
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