The College of Fisheries, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU) organized an on site mass awareness programme on “EHP (Enterocytozoonhepatopenaei) prevention and
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management in shrimp farming” in inland saline waters, at village Shamkhera, district Shri Mukstar Sahiab, Punjab, under all India coordinated project “National Surveillance Programme for Aquatic Animal Diseases (NSPAAD)” funded by the ICAR – National Fisheries Development Board (ICAR-NFDB). As the shrimp farming activity is going to start in Punjab in the month of April, the said program was organised with an objective to create awareness about the importance of preventing EHP outbreak and following best management practices for sustainable development of shrimp farming in Punjab. About 40 farmers from different districts of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan participated in the programme, with active participatory coordination by a regional progressive shrimp farmer Mr. Rajkumar.
?The programme coordinator, Dr.Naveen Kumar B.T, interacted with the
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shrimp farmers to record their feedback in respect to problems faced during the past years of culture. He updated the farmers about the the status of shrimp disease reported in Punjab in last 2 years, with especial emphasis on EHP infection, including its causative factors and protocols for its prevention and control. Farmers were advised to procure EHP free seed (SPF), follow strict biosecurity guidelines and abide to best management practices in shrimp farming to prevent disease outbreaks. Success story of an EHP infection survivor in Mansa district, through GADVASU handholding under NSPAAD Program was also shared with the farmers to showcase strength of scientific management in safeguarding the farmers from economic setbacks owing to disease outbreak.?
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Dr. Shanthanagouda A.H, programme Co-coordinator, briefed the farmers about feeding management in shrimp culture, with an advise to follow gap feeding practices to overcome the size variation within the stock. He also practically demonstrated various biosecurity measures like hand dips, foot dips, net hygiene, personal hygiene, pond fencing, bird nets etc. to the farmers to produce export quality shrimp, doing well in international food security standards.
?Demonstrations were made to apprise the farmers about the methods for collecting and packing water, soil and shrimp samples for transportation to the laboratory for disease diagnosis. Farmers were advised to procure the seed from Coastal Aquaculture Authority (CAA) approved hatcheries only, with health certification, to prevent entry of any deadly shrimp disease in the State.
Dr. Kulbir Singh Sandhu, Dean, College of Fisheries communicated that GADVASU is instrumental in educating the farmers and motivating them to undertake regular screening of their stock for pathogens.
