Scampi Production in Telangana Reservoirs: Current Status and Future Prospects

Abstract

The giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii (widely known as scampi in trade circles) has significant potential in Telangana due to the state’s abundant water resources, including rivers, ponds, tanks, and reservoirs. In the present study, an attempt was made to study the status of scampi production from selected reservoirs in Telangana. Data from 12 reservoirs in five districts, i.e. Khammam, Nalgonda, Mahaboobnagar, Janagaon and Narayanapet districts of Telangana, were collected. These reservoirs are being managed by fishermen co-operative societies. The data analysis revealed that a total of 9.75 million scampi juveniles were stocked during 2021-22 in these 12 reservoirs. The average stocking density of scampi juveniles (~2g) was 725 nos./ha. After eight months of stocking, 26.98 t of scampi of about 50g average weight were harvested from these reservoirs. The yield from the reservoirs ranged from 0.8 to 150 t. The harvested scampi was sold at prices ranging from INR 150 to 350 per kg significantly enhancing the income of the society members. The present study revealed the potential of culture-based fisheries in reservoirs involving scampi in enhancing scampi production in the country.