The Punjab government has launched a large-scale Blue Economy Programme aimed at converting barren land into productive aquaculture and economic zones through modern shrimp farming projects.
Under the initiative, three major sites Sargodha, Aliwala and Sagar are being developed for scientific shrimp cultivation marking what officials describe as Pakistan’s first government backed large-scale aquaculture system.
According to Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, infrastructure work is progressing rapidly across all sites with hundreds of acres being prepared for commercial use. At the Sargodha site, construction of ponds, tube wells, warehouses and administrative blocks has largely been completed. Meanwhile, over 1,200 acres of land at Aliwala have been cleared with extensive pond networks and drainage systems under development. In Sagar, supporting infrastructure including water supply, electrification and access roads is nearing completion.
Officials say the programme introduces modern aquaculture techniques to Pakistan’s agricultural sector, positioning shrimp farming as a high-value export industry. Global demand particularly from Asia, the Middle East and Western markets is seen as a key driver behind the initiative.
Economically, the project signals a shift toward an export-oriented blue economy model transforming underutilized land into commercially viable production zones and diversifying Punjab’s traditional agriculture base.
If successfully scaled, the programme could open new revenue streams for Pakistan’s seafood exports while reshaping regional agricultural planning through industrial level aquaculture.
Keywords
Blue Economy Programme, Punjab shrimp farming, aquaculture Pakistan, Sargodha project, Aliwala development, Sagar aquaculture site, export economy Pakistan, agricultural transformation, Maryam Nawaz initiatives, Asian Burg Business Desk
Asian Burg | Business Desk
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