Green mussel (Perna viridis) farming in India: An analysis of major growth milestones, recent decline due to disease incidence and prospects for revival

Green mussel farming as a smallholder friendly, livelihood-enabling supplementary activity along the backwaters in the southwest coast of India is analyzed in this paper covering various phases of its adoption and growth. Though a benign enterprise that does not demand significant establishment cost and labor-intensive culture activities, green mussel production is presently at a crossroads, facing severe challenges at its very cradle, owing to various biotic and abiotic constraints. The main underlying factors are analyzed, physical and economic losses estimated, and policy options suggested to enable a steadfast revival.