Shrimp prices and applicable aquaculture data are now just a phone call and phone tap away for India’s aqua farmers, thanks to new mobile applications courtesy of the Marine Products Exports Development Authority (MPEDA).
The applications, which are free to any interested shrimp farmers in India, were developed as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Digital India program, and were launched by Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on 9 July.
One of the e-Governance initiatives allows India’s farmers to obtain pricing information on Black Tiger and Vannamei shrimp species by placing a missed call into two predetermined numbers (+918590200800 for Black Tiger; +918590100800 for Vannamei). Once the call is placed, they will receive an SMS in return that provides international market data from Japan, the United States and the European Union.
“The price information to farmers will provide them the current market trends enabling them to take informed decisions on harvest of their produce,” MPEDA chief Leena Nair was quoted as saying during a press briefing by The Hindu Business Line.
Meanwhile, the Android-compatible mobile app called m-KRISHI Aqua Service, sets out to give shrimp farmers operational guidance, and comes complete with weather updates and book-keeping functionality. Farmers can also access information on stocking, pond management, feed and water test management and sampling via the app.
While the app remains under pilot in Gujarat, plans for a broader release are in the works. The whole of India can expect the app in roughly three months’ time, MPEDA noted.
MPEDA is nodal agency promoting export of marine products from India.
