HUGHESVILLE, Md. – The Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission (SMADC), a Division of the Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland, has published the results on two new feasibility studies for the region. The first focuses on a sustainable blue catfish industry, and the second focuses on the gaps in infrastructure in the agriculture and aquaculture sectors of the region. These feasibility studies were conducted by Pierwater International and funded by the Rural Maryland Economic Development Fund grant. They are posted now as open-source documents that anyone may access and use for the betterment of these industries in Southern Maryland.
Sustainable Blue Catfish Initiative
The Southern Maryland Blue Catfish Market Research Study highlights sustainable and profitable practices for managing blue catfish, an invasive species in the Chesapeake Bay.
Harvesting blue catfish not only controls its population but also provides eco-friendly alternatives like faux leather and fish silage. The initiative targets growth in product development, particularly in food markets across North America, Europe, and Asia.
Economic Impact of Agriculture and Aquaculture
The “Southern Maryland Agriculture & Aquaculture Analysis” report reveals the economic strengths and weaknesses of the region. While the agriculture sector contributes over $158 million to the Southern Maryland economy (supporting nearly 2,300 jobs) current challenges include a workforce shortage and limited processing infrastructure. Strategic recommendations emphasize investing in mid-supply chain infrastructure for processing and aggregation, policy advocacy, and promoting public-private partnerships to enhance market access and sustainability
These studies underscore the potential for Southern Maryland to innovate and create new markets within these industries.
To view the full reports, visit the News and Events section on SMADC.com.
For further inquiries, contact info@smadc.com.