The Brackish water sector is an important area of pisciculture in the three coastal districts of West Bengal. In West Bengal, there are about 60000 hectare area is under culture out of 91000 ha of backwaters. Tiger shrimp (P. monodon) is an important cultivable fish species with a huge local and export market. Farmers are undertaking brackish water farming are mostly interested in shrimp farming which is done in the coastal area. Most of the aquaculture farmers are carrying on with their business in these coastal areas depending on the verbal agreement with the owner which is mostly for 5-7 years. Maximum ponds are marginal & small in size measuring around 0.2 to 0.3 ha. Extensive/improved extensive farming is mainly concentrated with proper management strategies, high-quality pelletized feed & artificial aeration system; farmers are capable to achieve the production @ 3-4 MT/ha/crop for P. monodon. For undertaking shrimp culture registration from the Coastal Aquaculture Authority (through District level committee) is required. To extend shrimp farming Fisheries Department has formulated a scheme to be implemented in three coastal districts-Purba Medinipur, South-24-Parganas and Nort-24-Parganas with an objective to produce Black Tiger Shrimp in modified extensive culture in a sustainable way, to bring more brackish water areas under scientific culture method, Application of good quality feed with better management practice to enhance productivity 2000-2500 kg /ha/crop and to motivate fish farmers to adopt modern technology for better production.

Assistance under this scheme has been provided in terms of Shrimp Seeds (PL-15-20, stocking density 30 pc/m2 ) as Government Contributions. Beneficiary contributions are Hydrated lime, Dolomite, Urea, Feed, Single Super Phosphate, Probiotics, and Prophylactics. The unit area of the Scheme is 1.0 bigha.

• At present Government assistance is of Rs. 42000.00. Only Shrimp seed is provided under this schemes. Feed and other components are being arranged by beneficiaries.