Burma’s tiger prawn breeders call for upgrading industry

The saltwater tiger prawn industry in Burma needs to upgrade from traditional breeding methods to a more scientific approach, says several leading breeders and businesspeople.

“Between five and seven tons of prawns are produced per acre in Thailand using scientific breeding methods,” said Tun Aye, from the Shwe Yamon Manufacturing Company, which exports prawns to Japan. “Burmese firms need to set up laboratories and the farms need to set up paddlewheels which operate 24 hours a day.

“The industry immediately requires some 40 to 50 prawn breeding farms,” he said. “There are nearly 200 tiger prawn farms in Thailand.”

The demand for tiger prawns has risen markedly among the middle classes of neighboring countries, especially China and India, in recent years.

“We are still using the old traditional breeding methods,” said prawn breeder Myint Thein from Laputta in the Irrawaddy Delta. “When the sea level comes up, we block the pond to breed. In places like Rakhine State and the Delta, it is difficult to upgrade the ponds to accommodate modern methods. But we must consider it, because production is decreasing instead of increasing.”

The export price for saltwater tiger prawns from Burma is currently US $10 to $15 per kilo.

source: Mizzima
http://www.mizzima.com/business/8682-burmas-tiger-prawn-breeders-call-for-upgrading-industry.html