An Analysis of Shrimp Culture Business in Nellore District, Andhra Pradesh, India

The study was taken to analyse the Shrimp Culture Business in Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh. The performance of the shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) culture business in terms of production, marketing, finance and also constraints faced by shrimp culture farmers was analysed. Aquaculture farmers were classified into small (1-2 ha), semi-medium (2-4 ha), medium (4-10 ha) and large farmers (>10 ha). The results revealed that the average gross income earned was Rs.31.91 lakh/ha/crop, Rs. 31.73 lakh/ha/crop, Rs. 31.79 lakh/ha/crop and Rs.32.57 lakh/ha/crop by small, semi-medium, medium and large farmers respectively. The net income per hectare per crop for large farmers (Rs.13.07 lakh) was highest followed by medium (Rs. 11.8 lakh), semi medium (Rs. 11.1 lakh) and small (Rs.10.42 lakh) shrimp culture farmers. Break-even prices revealed that small, semi-medium, medium and large farmers can choose to price one kg of shrimp above Rs. 256, Rs. 247, Rs. 239, and Rs. 228 respectively. The profitability ratio showed that Gross profit margin and net profit margin for large farmers were high when compared to small, semi-medium, medium and large farmers. Non-availability of good quality seeds and the high cost of feed were the major problems faced by the farmers in production. Fluctuations in shrimp price and insufficient market information were major marketing constraints faced by the farmers in marketing of shrimp.