Shrimp farming remains a major livelihood sector as farmers receive support through training, technology and community-based programmes
KRISHNA DISTRICT | August 25, 2026
8
KRISHNA DISTRICT: Aquaculture continues to play a major role in the agricultural economy of Krishna district, with shrimp, sea bass and crab farming providing livelihoods for thousands of farmers. The district administration itself describes Krishna as a leading district in Andhra Pradesh in the fisheries sector, with extensive marine, inland and brackish-water resources.
🦐 Focus on small shrimp farmers
A community action plan unveiled in June 2026 is focusing on the empowerment of small shrimp farmers in Andhra Pradesh. As part of the initiative, farmer groups were formed in several important aquaculture regions, including Kaikaluru and Mandavalli mandals in Krishna district.
The programme aims to address challenges faced by small-scale shrimp farmers and improve their ability to manage production, markets and other risks associated with aquaculture.
📍 Kaikaluru and Mandavalli among key farming areas
The inclusion of Kaikaluru and Mandavalli highlights the importance of Krishna district in Andhra Pradesh’s shrimp-farming sector. These areas have a large concentration of aquaculture activity and farmers whose incomes are closely connected with shrimp production.
👨🌾 Training and technical support
Government and industry organisations are also providing technical training to aquaculture workers.
The Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) and its associated programmes have conducted training activities in Krishna district covering subjects such as biosecurity, farm management and sustainable aquaculture practices. One such programme at Pedapalem village involved aquaculture farm workers and resource experts from MPEDA and the Fisheries Department.
These programmes are intended to improve farmers’ technical knowledge and help them adopt safer and more efficient farming practices.
🌱 Importance of sustainable aquaculture
Aquaculture growth also brings challenges involving water quality, disease management, biosecurity and changing weather conditions. Training programmes therefore increasingly focus on better farm management and disease prevention.
For small farmers, improved farming practices can help reduce production risks while maintaining shrimp quality and productivity.
📈 Major economic importance
Krishna district has a particularly strong fisheries and aquaculture base. The district government’s fisheries department notes that the district has extensive marine, inland and brackish-water fishery resources.
MPEDA records have also highlighted the scale of aquaculture activity in Krishna, with thousands of farmers involved in shrimp, sea-bass and crab farming.
📰 Current agriculture update
The aquaculture sector remains an important ongoing agriculture-related story for Krishna district, particularly because:
- 🦐 Shrimp farming remains a major livelihood activity.
- 📍 Kaikaluru and Mandavalli are among the district’s important shrimp-farming areas.
- 👨🌾 Small farmers are being brought into community-based support programmes.
- 🎓 Technical and biosecurity training is being conducted for aquaculture workers.
- 🌱 Greater emphasis is being placed on sustainable and scientifically managed aquaculture.