🦐 Vannamei (White Leg Shrimp) Culture — 1 Ha
NABARD model bankable project for Litopenaeus vannamei semi-intensive shrimp culture. Covers SPF seed, biosecurity, stocking density, capital cost of ₹23.52 lakh, and financial indicators for IBPS AFO and NABARD Grade A exams.
Litopenaeus vannamei (white-leg shrimp / Mexican white shrimp) replaced Penaeus monodon (tiger shrimp) as India's dominant farmed shrimp after WSSV devastated tiger shrimp culture from 1995. Large-scale introduction of vannamei was permitted in India in 2009 after a risk analysis study.
- Native to the Pacific coast of Mexico, Central and South America
- Attains 20 g in 100–120 days at 60 nos./m²
- Can tolerate salinity 0–50 ppt; grows uniformly at 10–40 ppt; can grow in freshwater
Why Vannamei Replaced Tiger Shrimp
| Advantage | Detail |
|---|---|
| SPF seed availability | Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) and SPR broodstock commercially available |
| High density culture | Can be stocked at up to 150/m² (less aggressive) |
| Wide salinity tolerance | 0.5–45 ppt |
| Low protein feed | Only 20–35% protein required vs. 40%+ for P. monodon |
| High meat yield | 66–68% meat yield |
NOTE
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Litopenaeus vannamei (white-leg shrimp / Mexican white shrimp) replaced Penaeus monodon (tiger shrimp) as India's dominant farmed shrimp after WSSV devastated tiger shrimp culture from 1995. Large-scale introduction of vannamei was permitted in India in 2009 after a risk analysis study.
- Native to the Pacific coast of Mexico, Central and South America
- Attains 20 g in 100–120 days at 60 nos./m²
- Can tolerate salinity 0–50 ppt; grows uniformly at 10–40 ppt; can grow in freshwater
Why Vannamei Replaced Tiger Shrimp
| Advantage | Detail |
|---|---|
| SPF seed availability | Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) and SPR broodstock commercially available |
| High density culture | Can be stocked at up to 150/m² (less aggressive) |
| Wide salinity tolerance | 0.5–45 ppt |
| Low protein feed | Only 20–35% protein required vs. 40%+ for P. monodon |
| High meat yield | 66–68% meat yield |
NOTE
Exam trap: Maximum permitted stocking density in India is 60 nos./m² — higher densities are not permitted. The theoretical limit (150/m²) and the regulatory limit (60/m²) are both tested.
Technical Parameters
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Farm size | 1 ha (water spread area) |
| Pond water depth | 1.5–1.8 m |
| Stocking density | 50 nos./m² (model) |
| Total stocking | 5,00,000 PL per ha |
| Seed used | PL8–PL9 SPF post larvae |
| Survival rate | 85% |
| Culture period | 4 months per crop |
| Harvest size | 25 g average |
| Production per crop | 10,625 kg/ha |
| FCR | 1.1–1.4 |
| Sale price | ₹175/kg |
Optimal water quality: temperature 30–34°C, pH 7–9 (optimal 8.0), DO > 4.5 ppm, ammonia-N < 0.1 ppm, nitrite-N < 1 ppm.
Biosecurity Requirements
Vannamei is highly susceptible to WSSV, TSV, YHV, IHHNV, and LOVV. Key biosecurity measures:
- Crab fencing: 0.5 m plastic sheet around pond to prevent crab entry (major WSSV vector)
- Bird fencing/scare: mandatory (birds mechanically transmit virus between ponds)
- Water treatment: calcium hypochlorite @ 30 ppm in reservoir, aged 7 days before use
- Filter nets: 60 micron mesh/cm² on inlet to exclude aquatic WSSV carriers
- Zero/minimal water exchange system recommended
NOTE
SPF status is NOT permanent — offspring of SPF shrimp are only SPF if raised in an SPF facility. Biosecurity level determines SPF status, not just parentage.
Capital Cost (1 Ha)
| Component | Cost (₹) |
|---|---|
| Pond earthwork (40 hrs machinery) | 60,000 |
| Inlet/outlet structures | 65,000 |
| Pump house + office/lab/store | 1,35,000 |
| Watchman shed | 27,500 |
| 5 HP pump | 65,000 |
| Long-arm aerators (4 × 2 HP) | 1,40,000 |
| Electrical installation/transformer | 60,000 |
| Reservoir pond | 60,000 |
| Crab fencing (400 RMT) | 60,000 |
| Bird net (2,000 m²) | 70,000 |
| Lab equipment & chemicals | 75,000 |
| Miscellaneous | 30,000 |
| Total Capital Cost (A) | ₹8,47,500 |
Operational cost per crop (4 months):
| Item | Cost (₹) |
|---|---|
| 5,00,000 PL @ ₹0.75/PL | 3,75,000 |
| Feed — 14,875 kg @ ₹60/kg | 8,92,500 |
| Chemicals/manures | 10,000 |
| Electricity | 65,000 |
| Labour (farm supervisor + mechanic + watchman) | 1,06,000 |
| Repairs, office, harvesting | 55,625 |
| Total Operational Cost (B) | ₹15,04,125 |
Total project cost (A+B): ₹23,51,625 (~₹23.52 lakh)
Financial Analysis
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Financial Outlay | ₹23.52 lakh |
| Margin (15%) | ₹3.53 lakh |
| Bank Loan | ₹19.99 lakh |
| Rate of Interest | 12% |
| Repayment Period | 6–8 years (1 year grace) |
| NPW @ 15% | ₹30.03 lakh |
| BCR | 1.18 : 1 |
| IRR | > 50% |
Income (from Year 2 — 2 crops):
- 2 × 10,625 kg × ₹175 = ₹37,18,750/year
- Production cost per kg (indicative): ₹150–160 at 8–10 tonnes/ha
NOTE
Coastal Aquaculture Authority (CAA) guidelines are mandatory for vannamei farming — farms must register, follow biosecurity norms, and manage effluent. Non-compliance is an exam-tested regulatory point.
Sources & References
Primary source for this lesson is NABARD's official Model Bankable Projects portal.[1] Lesson-specific report copy used for this topic.[2]
References
2 sources • [1] [2]
References
Used for: Official NABARD portal for model bankable project documents and updates.
Used for: Reference copy used in this lesson for project parameters and worked figures.
The figures in this lesson reflect the cost norms and technical parameters as published in the NABARD document. Actual costs may vary by state, season, and year of implementation. Always refer to the latest NABARD circular for current norms.
Summary Cheat Sheet
| Concept / Topic | Key Details / Explanation |
|---|---|
| Species | Litopenaeus vannamei (white-leg / Mexican white shrimp) |
| Introduction to India | 2009 (after risk analysis; replaced tiger shrimp post-WSSV devastation from 1995) |
| Native range | Pacific coast of Mexico, Central and South America |
| Farm size | 1 hectare (water spread area) |
| Pond depth | 1.5–1.8 m |
| Stocking density (model) | 50 PL/m²; max permitted in India: 60 PL/m² |
| Total stocking | 5,00,000 PL/ha |
| Seed type | PL8–PL9 SPF post larvae |
| Survival rate | 85% |
| Culture period | 4 months per crop |
| Harvest size | 25 g average |
| Production per crop | 10,625 kg/ha |
| FCR | 1.1–1.4 |
| Sale price | ₹175/kg |
| Protein requirement | Only 20–35% (vs 40%+ for tiger shrimp) |
| Meat yield | 66–68% |
| Salinity tolerance | 0–50 ppt; grows uniformly at 10–40 ppt; can grow in freshwater |
| Total Capital Cost (A) | ₹8,47,500 |
| Operational cost per crop (B) | ₹15,04,125 (seed ₹3.75L + feed ₹8.93L + electricity ₹65,000 + labour ₹1.06L) |
| Total Project Cost (A+B) | ₹23,51,625 (~₹23.52 lakh) |
| Margin Money | 15% = ₹3.53 lakh |
| Bank Loan | ₹19.99 lakh |
| Interest rate | 12% |
| Repayment period | 6–8 years with 1-year grace |
| NPW @ 15% | ₹30.03 lakh |
| BCR | 1.18:1 |
| IRR | >50% |
| Annual income (Year 2, 2 crops) | 2 × 10,625 kg × ₹175 = ₹37,18,750 |
| Biosecurity — crab fencing | 0.5 m plastic sheet (crabs = major WSSV vector) |
| Biosecurity — inlet filter | 60 micron mesh/cm² |
| Water treatment | Calcium hypochlorite @ 30 ppm in reservoir, aged 7 days |
| Regulatory body | Coastal Aquaculture Authority (CAA) — registration mandatory |
| SPF note | SPF status depends on biosecurity conditions, not just parentage |
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