Inadaquate supply of quality seed is one of the chief constraints that impedes the quick
development of ptawn culture. Estuaries still remain the largest source of prawn seed supply. They
are likely to remain so atleast for sometime in offing before the hatchery production of seeds is undertaken
commercially and massively. The Marine Products Export development Authority assists the
prawn farmers in setting up prawn seed banks by providing technical assistance on prawn culture,
undertaking site selection and farm surveys, preparing project reports for submitting to the banks to
get financial assistance, releasing subsidy to the tune of 16% on the capital cost of the project and
providing continued technical assistance throughout the culture period. Already some prawn farmers
have started establishing such prawn seed banks and supplying prawn seed commercially. This paper
presents and discusses results of case studies on the economic feasibility of setting up prawn seed
banks by fish farmers/prawn farmers
