Freshwater Prawns
Raising giant freshwater prawns (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) in large net enclosures (krachang) along river banks could be a lucrative occupation for residents of Khura Buri district in Phangnga, one of the southern provinces still struggling to recover from the 2004 tsunami. Seven farmers are currently taking part in a pilot project, initiated by the Chai Pattana Foundation with financial support from SCB Asset Management Company. Adisorn Sermchaiwong, the president of SCB Asset Management, said his company was providing $27,000 for the venture along with management assistance. He said the farmers began raising the freshwater prawns--sometimes called "river lobsters"--in October 2006. The prawns are expected to grow to a commercial weight of 700 grams within seven months.
http://www.shrimpnews.com/FreeNews.htmlPrawns are seen as having great market potential, especially in hotels and restaurants in tourist areas like Phangnga and Phuket, according to Duangjai Nualprakho, a farmer who lost his property to the 2004 tsunami. Duangjai said he joined the project because he had some experience raising prawns in krachang before the tsunami.
Source: Agri Press World. Giant-prawn venture could help farmers (
http://www.agripressworld.com/start/artikel/203302/en). October 31, 2006.
