Shrimp Feed Can Balance Nutritional Requirements, Contain Diseases And Ensure Profit For Farmers

Some shrimp farmers are not aware of the benefits of high-quality func-tional feeds and the importance of sustainable farming practices

I’ve witnessed firsthand, the transformative growth of aquaculture and its increas-ing significance in the global seafood industry.

Following the ushering in of 2025, the aquaculture sector is also experiencing un-precedented advancements through innovation and sustainability measures, to meet the growing demand for sea food that is safe and of high quality.

The shrimp sector is the backbone of India’s aquaculture industry. Formulated shrimp feed is very critical for the growth of this sector, as it directly impacts shrimp health, growth and farm profitability.

As cost of raw materials such as fishmeal, soybean, and wheat flour continue to fluctuate managing these costs while maintaining feed quality is a constant chal-lenge for shrimp feed formulators. The industry also faces pressure to adopt sus-tainable practices. The stringent quality and safety standards in both domestic and export markets demand rigorous compliance.

Having been in the shrimp sector for more than three decades, Waterbase under-stands the customer needs better and meets them by implementing a code of good manufacturing practices.

We believe that quality and food safety are the cornerstones to the businesses we operate in. We continuously work to improve our products performance through investment in R&D and rigorous testing. We are committed to promotion and growth of sustainable aquaculture in India through responsible sourcing, eco-friendly practices, innovation, and farmers’ education.

The advancements in shrimp feed technology have revolutionized shrimp farming over the past decade.

In the upcoming years, the importance of high-quality, nutritionally balanced and environmentally sustainable feeds will be more evident than ever, the focus will be on functional feeds that go beyond meeting the energy requirements of shrimp, build disease resistance and boost growth.

Incorporating novel ingredients, evaluating alternative protein sources (to reduce dependency on traditional fishmeal) will gain traction. These innovations not only ensure cost-effective solutions for farmers but also promote sustainability.

Shrimp farming is highly susceptible to diseases, functional feeds enriched with novel ingredients, probiotics, prebiotics, and immune-boosting additives will help farmers to combat diseases.

The advanced research and feed formulations are now tailored to specific shrimp growth stages and environmental conditions. This precise nutrition boosts im-munity, ensures optimal feed conversion ratios, reduces wastage and improves farm profitability.

Unfortunately, some shrimp farmers are not aware of the benefits of high-quality functional feeds and the importance of sustainable farming practices. Waterbase conducts aqua meets every month, to educate the Shrimp farmers on these topics.

Looking ahead, The Waterbase Limited’s mission is to innovate, collaborate and drive sustainability. The help of cutting-edge technologies will prioritize environ-mental stewardship and by putting aquaculture farmers at the center of our strat-egy, we aim to shape the future of Shrimp aquaculture. The growth of aquaculture stands as a testament to the resilience and innovation of the industry. For those of us in shrimp feed manufacturing, this is a time to lead with purpose and vision.

By delivering high-quality, sustainable feed solutions, we not only support the growth of aquaculture but also contribute to global food security and economic prosperity. The future of shrimp farming is bright.

(The writer is the CEO of The Waterbase Limited)