The government has set a target of increasing area under brackish water aquaculture to two lakh hectares, up from 1.6 lakh hectares at present, which is the highest in the country. The decision was taken to encourage the domestic market for brackish water aquaculture products, nearly 95% of which is currently exported to the US, China and countries in Europe. If the area is increased, the products can be sold in the domestic market and in the near future, in the government’s proposed YSR Janata Bazaars too, said P Koteswara Rao, principal, State Institute of Fisheries Technology and additional deputy director of the fisheries department. The government has proposed setting up around 22,000 YSR Janata Bazaars in villages and towns. Rao said brackish water aquaculture is a suitable option for entrepreneurs who have suffered losses in business or those who have lost jobs in the pandemic as the government is offering incentives such as subsidised power at a rate of Rs 1.5 per unit. In a first in the country, the government has constituted a board, AP State Aquaculture Development Authority, to develop fisheries sector, he added. A minimum of Rs 10 lakh per hectare is required. Even those with little or no education can do good business, but they must have the interest to acquire the skills, Koteswara Rao told TOI. Brackish water aquaculture requires a salinity to 5 to 15 PPT, which is favorable for Vannamei prawn. At present, nearly 95,000 persons carry out the trade with an annual production of eight lakh metric tonnes while another 500 have shown interest and close to 40 applications have been received in Visakhapatnam district. Our mandal level committee is scrutinising the applications for issuance for license for brackish water aquaculture. We have received nearly 40 applications, said Phani Prakash, joint director, AP fisheries department, Visakhapatnam. Recounting a success story, a fisheries official said a farmer produced 17 metric tonnes of Vannamei prawn in 3.2 hectares of brackish aquaculture and sold the produce for Rs 85 lakh, earning Rs 27 lakh per hectare. With a minimum investment of Rs 10 lakh per hectare, the farmer made a profit of Rs 17 lakh. It is possible when all parameters are favourable, the official added.