Organically-cultured Tiger Prawns Harvested

KOCHI: The first batch of organically-cultured Tiger Prawns, first of its kind in the state, was harvested in Kumbalangi on Wednesday. Kumbalangi Panchayat president Usha Pradeep, Kumbalangi Model Tourism Development Society (KMTDS) president M P Sivadathan, Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) assistant director N P Vinod and field co-ordinator N G Biju and KMTDS secretary Shaji Kuruppassery were present on the occasion as Kumbalangi added another first to its achievements.  Organic culturing of Tiger Prawns, a premium- priced export value marine species, was  initiated by the MPEDA. While MPEDA provided technical and financial assistance, prawn seeds and feeds were distributed by WAB Trading International, a private company.C V Mathew, owner of the farm in Kumbalangi, said he was expecting a catch of 500kg.  MPEDA assistant director N P Vinod said that the farming in Kumbalangi was on an experimental basis. “Now that we have found it to  be successful, we have to spread this mode of aquaculture across the state. MPEDA  had provided assistance to 13 farms in the states.  The  seeds are nearing maturity period for harvesting in the other 12 units too,” he added.