Some individuals interested in crab aquaculture said that coastal land that is suitable for crabs is owned by communidades and obtaining permission from them is difficult, reports the NavhindiTimes.
“The government should allow lease of coastal communidade land to individuals, who want to take it up,” said Roland Afonso, from St Estevem.
Socorro Rebeiro from Benualim, who is also keen on undertaking crab farming, said that cultivation is ideal in the mangroves. However, environment laws and opposition from activists is expected to be a hurdle.
Mr Rebeiro added that non-availability of crablets is another issue as sourcing is only possible from the Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Aquaculture in Chennai.
The fisheries department recently conducted a three-day training programme for locals interested in crab farming at the Fishermen Training Centre, Old Goa. About 42 individuals participated in the programme and of these, only one came forward to collect the application form.
Superintendent of fisheries Dr Smita Mazumdar said that some of the participants had suitable land or owned mangroves but they are showing tepid response due to the broken down state of the bunds.
“Repair of bunds is a costly affair and people are put off by the expenditure. Obtaining a no-objection certificate from panchayat for constructing ponds in khazan land is also foreseen as a major difficulty,” she said.
