Fish and allied products' development, particularly crab culture, is on the rise with farmers more inclined to take this up, after aqua culture in the country. In addition, export of fish of octopus and jellyfish variety has also increased in the last few years as it has a good market in the south-east Asian countries. Participating in the inauguration of a molecular biology lab at the Central Institute of Fisheries Education (CIFE), Dr S. Ayyappan, deputy director general (DDG) of ICAR (fisheries), New Delhi, revealed details on Monday. Mr Ayyappan said that the problem of anti-biotic residue which affected shrimp exports from the country was also solved. In addition, India had found new markets for fish products in the last few years. US, Japan, European Union were prime purchasers of Indian aqua products, in addition to China. The Chinese believe that the octopus has medicinal values and can cure some ailments, he revealed. Commenting on employment generation through development activity, the DDG observed that the NREGP (National Rural Employment Generation) programme had come in handy for rural employment, particularly in the development of fish tanks in several states. Dr Ayyappan also felt that the molecular biology laboratory which was inaugurated prior to the meet, would be of immense use to aqua farmers. He said AP stood first in aquaculture in the country and farmers here were also progressive. Former director of the Central Institute of Fresh Water Aqua Culture, Bhubaneswar, K. Janaki Ram said the development of fish tanks through blasting affected ecology. CIFE director Dilip Kumar assured all possible help to fish farmers who turned up from Bihar for training in aqua culture. Earlier, Dr Venugopal, scientist incharge of the CIFE Kakinada centre, welcomed the guests.