PNN: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Friday approved a major aquaculture initiative, with shrimp farming as a key focus, officials confirmed.
Under the plan, shrimp estates will be developed over a combined area of 5,600 acres in Sargodha and Alipur. The project aims to convert barren and saline land into productive farmland through modern aquaculture techniques, marking a significant step in Punjab’s agricultural diversification and economic development.
According to official updates, the 15th daily progress report of the Sargodha shrimp farming project shows steady advancement. Nine shrimp ponds have been completed over 20 acres, while 5,320 metres of drainage infrastructure has been finalised. Surveys for an additional 10 acres have also been completed for the next phase of development.
Meanwhile, a quality control laboratory being established in Lahore at a cost of Rs4.5 billion is nearing completion, with 99 per cent of construction work finished. Another laboratory in Muzaffargarh, intended to support shrimp farming research and provide a conducive environment for aquaculture, has reached 98pc completion.
To strengthen technical capacity, Pakistani experts have undertaken training visits to Saudi Arabia and Mexico, while international specialists Jeffrey and Jamie Dominguez have visited Pakistan to provide technical support. Written examinations have also been conducted for 100 interns selected for the shrimp farming programme.
Officials said infrastructure development was progressing rapidly, with 32 tubewells and eight transformers installed so far. Shrimp seed has been introduced into 64 research ponds, while work on additional shrimp estates and related value chains is under way in Sargodha and Muzaffargarh.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif said the initiative would boost Punjab’s exports and generate thousands of employment opportunities, describing it as the province’s largest and most significant Blue Economy project to date.