Shrimps worth over Tk 1500 crore are damaged every year in Satkhira district due to virus attack, which can be checked with little government initiative.

This was stated at a seminar on 'Usefulness of information in resisting disaster in shrimp farming” organised by Mass-line Media Center (MMC), a local NGO. It was held at the Officers' Club in the town.

The speakers urged the government to undertake an integrated plan to combat the virus attack and create awareness among shrimp farmers. A mechanism for free flow of information on shrimp farming and introduction of modern technology would greatly help farmers to reduce the virus attack, they said.

Around three lakh people are involved in the sector, which is the biggest export earner after garments, but governments in the past gave little attention for its

develo0pment, they said.

Many farmers, particularly smaller ones, have left the profession after consecutive losses, they said.

There are around 6000 shrimp enclosures in the district and virus attack on at least 50 per cent of those may be controlled only by creating awareness among farmers, they said.

Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC Revenue) was the chief guest at the seminar, chaired by Principal Asit Kumar Majumdar.