Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has formally inaugurated a pioneering tech-driven shrimp farming and aquaculture value chain project in the province, aiming to transform Punjab into a hub of sustainable seafood production, employment, and export growth.
Addressing officials at the launch event, the chief minister described the initiative as historic, blending advanced aquaculture technologies with global expertise to strengthen Pakistan’s blue economy. The project builds on a successful pilot research effort conducted on 100 acres of land, which demonstrated the commercial viability of modern shrimp farming methods in the region.
Under the first phase of implementation, shrimp estates spanning 5,300 acres in Muzaffargarh and Sargodha are set to be operational by March 2026, with feasibility studies underway for an additional 2,600 acres to scale up operations and involve more farmers. The comprehensive plan includes hatcheries, processing plants, cold storage facilities, aqua malls and an integrated logistics chain to ensure full value‑chain development.
Officials say the project will also create numerous jobs, promote innovation in agriculture technology, and help integrate rural Pakistan into profitable international seafood markets. Experts from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Ecuador, Australia and Mexico are contributing technical support and knowledge transfer to ensure world‑class operations.
In related economic reforms, the Punjab government recently launched Pakistan’s largest tractor scheme to support farmers with modern machinery and financing, a move that complements efforts to modernize both traditional and emerging sectors of the provincial economy. The tractor scheme reflects a broader vision to boost productivity across agriculture and allied industries.
Early groundwork is already underway in Sargodha, where administrative and technical teams have begun building the first shrimp estates under a multi‑billion‑rupee plan to expand aquaculture and harness previously underutilized saline and barren lands.
Analysts say the new technology‑driven shrimp farming and aquaculture value chain could play a significant role in boosting Pakistan’s seafood exports and rural incomes, marking a strategic shift toward sustainable, high‑value agricultural industries in Punjab.
