For efficient utilization of underproductive and unproductive zero earning inland salt affected lands of south west districts of Punjab through shrimp farming, College of Fisheries, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal 
Sciences University has been playing an instrumental role by organizing series of ‘Awareness camps on Vannamaei Shrimp Culture’. Under the series, Awareness camps for the month of May 2018 were organized at village Korvala, district Mansa and village Ratta Tibba, district Shri Mukatsar Sahib. Farmers participated enthusiastically in both the camps from adjoining villages.
Vanammaei shrimp is the high priced aquaculture commodities and needs strict culture management practices. In this regard, Dr. Prabjeet Singh, Assistant Professor (Fisheries) emphasized on following Best Management Practices in shrimp farming so as to gain higher yield and earn maximum profit. He apprised the farmers in detail regarding different aspects of Vannamaei shrimp farming like construction and designing of ponds and management with respect to water quality, feeding, health and biosecurity measure. He made the 
farmers aware about procuring the Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) seed of shrimps only from hatcheries approved by the Coastal Aquaculture Authority of the India, to avoid entry of any pathogens in the virgin environment of Punjab. Ms. Rajinder Kaur, Assistant Scientist (Fisheries), informed the farmers about the technologies standardized and demonstrated by College of Fisheries, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University for taking up carp culture in low saline waters (<5 ppt).
Dr. Meera D. Ansal, Head, Department of Aquaculture, told that Vannamei shrimp is contributing over 60% by value and 40% by quantity in total fisheries export from India. She added that salt affected waterlogged waste lands in southwest districts can be utilized for developing shrimp farming in the state, which can revolutionise ‘Blue Revolution’ to new heights. She informed that since the shrimp seed is to be procured from far off coastal states (Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and West Bengal) so farmers should adopt ‘Cluster Farming’ for collective procurement of SPF seed from registered hatcheries and competitive marketing of the produce in national and international markets.
Dr. K. S. Sandhu, Dean, College of Fisheries, expressed that such awareness camps organized by the University will be beneficial for farmers of South-West districts of Punjab to earn higher income and generate self-employment, which will improve their socio-economic status along with food security of the state.
