दक्षिण गोवा के शिरोदा स्थित केकड़ा मोटा करने इकाई में क्षेत्र भ्रमण एवं संवाद
Field visit and interaction at the crab fattening unit at Shiroda, South Goa
A field visit and interaction were carried out to the crab fattening unit located at Shiroda, South Goa on 2 April 2026. During the visit, Dr Sreekanth GB, Senior Scientist (FRM), ICAR-CCARI interacted with two progressive farmers, Shri. Lincoln and Shri. Royston, who have been successfully engaged in mud crab fattening. The farmers demonstrated their well-established crab farming system, where they are cultivating multiple species including green mud crab (Scylla serrata), brown mud crab (Scylla olivacea), and purple mud crab (Scylla tranquebarica). Their unit was found to be well-designed and efficiently managed, with particular emphasis on maintaining optimal water quality. Regular monitoring of water parameters such as temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen is carried out to ensure a healthy culture environment. A notable feature of the unit is the adoption of a low-cost Recirculatory Aquaculture System (RAS), which allows for effective water recycling and sustainable farming. Due to this systematic management and infrastructure, the farmers reported very low mortality rates in their crab stocks. During the interaction, the farmers highlighted that the major constraint they are facing is the limited availability of quality crab seed, which affects the scalability of their operations. In addition to fattening practices, they also shared valuable insights into soft-shell crab production. They have recently constructed a new unit dedicated to soft-shell crab farming, indicating their interest in diversifying and expanding their aquaculture activities. The farmers also emphasized that the market demand for green mud crab is currently strong, offering good economic returns. Overall, the visit highlighted a successful model of sustainable and low-cost crab farming, demonstrating the potential for livelihood enhancement through improved aquaculture practices in the coastal region.