Bhubaneswar: The State Project Management Unit of the Enhancing Climate Resilience of India’s Coastal Communities (ECRICC) project organized the Crab Farmers’ and Exporters’ Meet today at the State Institute of Rural Development (SIRD) Campus, Bhubaneswar.
The event aimed to foster sustainable aquaculture practices, strengthen market linkages, and boost mud crab farming as a viable livelihood for Odisha’s coastal communities.
Inaugurating the event, Prem Kumar Jha, Director (Environment) and Special Secretary to the Government and State Project Director, ECRICC Project, Odisha, highlighted the significance of mud crab aquaculture in Odisha’s fisheries sector. “This initiative will provide a sustainable income source for coastal communities while ensuring environmental sustainability,” he remarked.
Dr. Archiman Lahiri, Deputy Director of the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), underscored the rising global demand for high-quality mud crabs and Odisha’s potential to emerge as a key player in the international export market.
The ECRICC project, supported by the Green Climate Fund, is being implemented in Odisha, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh to enhance the resilience of vulnerable coastal communities against climate change. In Odisha, the initiative spans seven landscapes across four districts: Puri, Ganjam, Kendrapara, and Balasore.
Key discussions at the event included scaling crab aquaculture practices, addressing challenges in export, and establishing a dedicated crab hatchery by 2025 to ensure a sustainable seed supply. Strategies to improve farmers’ access to global markets, maintain quality standards, and streamline export documentation were also deliberated.
Representatives from MPEDA, the Fisheries and Animal Resource Development Department (F&ARD), exporters from West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, and NGOs participated in the meet. Dr. Spandita Kar, State Project Manager, ECRICC, and her team ensured the event’s smooth execution.
The partnerships formed among the government, NGOs, and exporters are expected to significantly uplift Odisha’s coastal communities, paving the way for sustainable and profitable aquaculture practices.
