The Punjab government has launched its largest-ever shrimp farming initiative, aiming to convert underutilized land into a new export-driven industry and expand the province’s blue economy.
A survey conducted with support from international experts has identified nearly 40,000 potential locations suitable for shrimp farming across Punjab. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has also approved in principle a plan to develop shrimp farms across 30,000 acres.
The project’s first major development will be established at Ali Wala, where the government plans to build a shrimp hatchery with an annual production capacity of 280 million shrimp.
The Ali Wala project will cover 5,300 acres and include 737 ponds. Two shrimp processing facilities are also planned, with production capacities of 10 tonnes and five tonnes per hour.
Pakistan’s First Aquaculture Mall
The government is also developing what it describes as Pakistan’s first aquaculture mall at Shah Garh, designed to provide shrimp farmers with essential supplies and services, including shrimp seed, feed and rental machinery.
A specialized diagnostic laboratory will also be established at Ali Wala, featuring chemistry, pathology and microbiology facilities. A dedicated training center will provide farmers with modern aquaculture skills.
Shrimp farming has already expanded to around 5,500 acres across 1,000 farms in Punjab, with pilot production underway in Muzaffargarh and Sargodha.
The government plans to further expand shrimp cultivation in Sargodha, including a proposed 500-acre farm with 167 ponds.
Modern Technology to Power Shrimp Farms
Punjab is introducing automated equipment such as shrimp harvesters and automatic feeders, alongside modern monitoring systems.
Officials said the technology had delivered encouraging results during trials at Shah Garh. So far, around 100 people have been trained in modern shrimp farming techniques.
The government also plans to gradually increase private-sector participation and bring university graduates and local farmers into the emerging industry.
Hybrid solar energy systems are being planned to help meet the electricity requirements of shrimp farms and reduce operating costs.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif said the initiative would help turn barren and underused land into a shrimp export hub, creating jobs and new business opportunities while reducing Pakistan’s reliance on imported shrimp and the foreign exchange required to pay for those imports.
