author(s)
BV Naik, SV Patil, MM Shirdhankar, BM Yadav, RM Tibile, SM Wasave, KJ Chaudhari and VG Yewale

abstract
Brackishwater shrimp farming is playing a crucial role in the socio-economic development along the coastal part of India. Maharashtra state having two coastal regions one is North Konkan region and another is South Konkan region. A study was carried out in South Konkan region (Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg district) of Maharashtra to analyze the constraints faced by shrimp farmers. Out of 72 operational farms, information was collected from 59 shrimp farmers. The study was conducted based on face to face interaction aided with well-structured and pre-tested interview schedule consisting of four major group of constraint viz production, marketing financial and environmental constraints. Weighted mean (average) ranking technique was used for analyze the data and ranking the various constraints. The results showed that the major production constraints faced by shrimp farmers were high cost of feed (weighted average 34.67) and less availability of good quality seed (weighted average 31.67). Among marketing constraints, lack of minimum support price as well as unstable market price (weighted average 38.33) and emergency crop harvesting (weighted average 30.00) were major constraints. Non availability of crop insurance (weighted average 39.33) and shrimp price fluctuation (weighted average 39.00) were important financial constraints. Occurrences of the natural disaster (weighted average of 21.00) and nuisance from the surrounding people regarding the percolation of saltwater into well water (weighted average 9.33) was the major environmental constraint. Above findings reflecting the current status of brackishwater shrimp farming along the South Konkan region of Maharashtra. The study concluded that it is necessary to take immediate preventive steps to sustain the shrimp culture in South Konkan region of Maharashtra.