farmers of several coastal villages of  Santsbommali ,Etcherla, Ranasthalam,Polaki, Sompeta, Ichapuram and other mandals of srikakulam district are switching to prawn cultivation from paddy and other agriculture crops. as the paddy cultivation leaves the farmers in debt due to insufficient irrigation facilities in the area, they are slowly switching to prawn farming. moreover, the prawn farmers in the coastal villages are making good profits. another reason is the availability of salt water for prawn farming in the coastal areas.

To promote prawn cultivation, the district fisheries department has been creating awareness among the farmers on various schemes."the state government will grant 40 percent subsidy on converting the agriculture lands for the prawn farming" said fisheries department joint director Seenivasa rao. he told TNIE that the state government was also providing subsidy on purchasing the feed and medicine for prawn farming." about 60% of the  investiment in the prawn farming will go to feed and medicine", he added.