Economic Assessment of Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone, 1931) Culture with Different Stocking Density in Earthern Pond during Monsoon Season along Saurashtra Region of Gujarat Coast

Optimum use of coastal potential waste land into shrimp farming practice has given prosperity to coastal community of Rajula taluka of Amreli district. Shrimp farming in India has recorded remarkable growth in last three decades especially in coastal states. Economic assessment to shrimp farming experiment was conducted in commercial pond at Kavya Aqua Farm (Rajula) Amreli district of Saurashtra region, it’s a peninsular and southernmost part of Gujarat covering 793 hector area under shrimp farming with higher input costs in Litopenaeus vannamei farming business. The production potential and performance of the species was evaluated in low (30pc/m2) to high (80pc/m2) stocking density for 120 Days of culture in earthen pond conditions. This case study revealed that aquaculture is risky business but farmers still ponder it as a profitable venture with high status. A primary survey using structured interview was conducted with 25 shrimp producer in order to observe the following attributes: social profile, fixed cost, variable cost, yield of production, gross income and net income. At higher stocking rates (80pc/m2) has yielded better production with high count and FCR (feed conversion ratio). The present result indicates better economic return was recorded in low stocking density (30pc/m2) with low count (no of pcs/kg) at harvest. An attempt has been made to assess an economic viability of L.vannamei farming and extent of contribution towards the uplift of their socio-economic status. This study will be of immense support to encourage the farmers of other in and around areas to invest in shrimp farming business to earn better livelihood. Present shrimp farming experiment with different stocking density along with survey study revealed that for small and marginal farmers, L. vannamei farming can be made profitable by adopting lower affordable stocking rates and shrimp farming significant contribution in employment generation and infrastructure development of the coastal community and overall development of the coastal areas.