To promote domestic consumption of farmed shrimp and raise awareness of its nutritional benefits, the ICAR–Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture, Chennai, collaborated with the Tamil Nadu Fisheries Development Corporation (TNFDC)
The marketing arm of the Tamil Nadu Fisheries Department, and M/s Katch Fresh, a modern seafood outlet, to organise a landmark event at the ICAR-CIBA campus. The event brought together government, research, industry, aquaculture stakeholders and consumers under the theme “From Indian Farms to Indian Plates.”
India produces approximately 13.7 lakh tonnes of farmed shrimp annually, yet only about 20% is consumed domestically. Limited consumer awareness regarding the freshness, quality and health benefits of farmed shrimp has been identified as a potential factor contributing to low domestic consumption. The initiative aimed to bridge this awareness gap, strengthen the domestic seafood market and create additional opportunities for shrimp farmers.
Thiru A. Srinath, Minister for Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare, Government of Tamil Nadu, inaugurated the event and appreciated the organisers for their efforts to educate the public about the health benefits of shrimp consumption. Nearly 600 participants, including members of the public, aquaculture stakeholders, industry representatives and officials, attended the programme.
The major highlight was the creation of a world record for serving the largest quantity of cooked prawn/shrimp at a single venue. Officials from the world record organisation witnessed the event and presented the record to the organisers, marking a significant milestone in the campaign to promote shrimp consumption in India.
Addressing the gathering, Dr M. Kailasam, Director, ICAR-CIBA, outlined the objectives of the initiative and emphasised the importance of encouraging domestic seafood consumption. He highlighted the need to enhance consumer awareness of the nutritional value of shrimp and strengthen the domestic market for Indian aquaculture products. The programme also featured information on the health benefits of shrimp and guidance on its appropriate consumption.
The event highlighted India’s substantial shrimp production capacity and export potential while underscoring the importance of developing the domestic market as an additional avenue for growth in the aquaculture sector. Expanding consumer demand within the country can complement export-oriented production and create further market opportunities for shrimp farmers.
To better understand consumer preferences, a survey on domestic shrimp consumption was conducted during the event. The survey sought to assess public perceptions and preferences regarding fish and seafood, providing an opportunity to better understand consumer attitudes towards seafood consumption.
As part of the awareness initiative, ICAR-CIBA distributed pamphlets on Fish as Health Food, highlighting the nutritional and health benefits of shrimp consumption. The initiative sought to equip consumers with relevant information to support informed food choices and encourage greater acceptance of farmed shrimp in everyday diets.