Odisha’s mud crab farmers are on the cusp of a transformative breakthrough with the establishment of the state’s first Mud Crab Hatchery in Paradip.
Backed by a Rs 2.81 crore investment from the Forest, Environment, and Climate Change Department’s ECRICC-GCF initiative, this facility will produce 500,000 seed units annually, reducing dependency on external sources like the Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Aquaculture (RGCA) in Chennai.
The hatchery promises to save farmers time and money while boosting their economic prospects. “This project will revolutionise mud crab farming in Odisha, fostering greater community interest and establishing the state as a hub for mud crab seed production,” said Forest, Environment & Climate Change Minister Ganesh Ram Singkhuntia after approving the project’s tripartite agreement. The agreement, involving ECRICC-GCF for funding, the Odisha Fisheries Directorate, and RGCA for technical expertise, will be finalised soon.
The initiative is part of the broader ECRICC project, which supports coastal districts like Puri, Ganjam, Balasore, and Kendrapara. Alongside the hatchery, efforts include seagrass and salt marsh restoration with IIT Bhubaneswar, scientific mud crab farming with high export potential, seaweed cultivation for 70 farmers, SRI-based training for 28,201 farmers, and empowerment of 304 women as climate champions.
Minister Khuntia expressed optimism about the hatchery’s impact, stating, “This centre will bring a transformative change in the fortunes of mud crab farmers, positioning Odisha as a leader in sustainable aquaculture.” With its focus on innovation and economic upliftment, the Paradip hatchery is set to redefine Odisha’s aquaculture landscape.
