$125 million for Brazilian aquaculture

BRAZIL launched a USD 125 million aquaculture plan last month with the aim of making the country the world’s fifth largest fish farming nation, FIS reported.

Fisheries minister Helder Barbalho said aquaculture is the new frontier for agribusiness growth in Brazil, and the Aquaculture Development Plan in Brazil (PDA) would help meet its targets.

Brazil is currently ranked 12th among the largest aquaculture producers. With the new plan, the government is aiming for two million tonnes production a year.

The PDA will focus on exploiting the 8,500 km of coastline and the freshwater resources in Brazil, promoting the development of aquaculture in marine waters, tanks and ponds on land, and shrimp farming, both in the Amazon region and the semi-arid zone.

The novelty of the programme is the creation of industrial aquaculture districts (DIA) that will control production in places offering high potential.

The minister also announced a partnership between Regal Springs (the largest tilapia producer in the world) and the Brazilian company Axial Holding. The new venture, Tilabras, will invest USD 51 million in a tilapia farm in the Parana River.

The minister also signed a technical cooperation agreement with the National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES) for the evaluation of fisheries and aquaculture.