April 22, 2004

Thailand To Set Up Shrimp Research Centre
 
In a bid to boost the kingdom's competitive edge in the lucrative international shrimp market, Thailand is launching a new research centre dedicated to the development of shrimp breeding.
 
The new centre represents collaboration between four agencies: the Royal Thai Navy, Prince of Songkhla University, Mahidol University and the Ministry of Science and Technology.
 
Under the auspices of the National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), the centre will conduct research and development into shrimp breeding and transmit this knowledge to Thai shrimp farmers. At the same time, it is supporting the development of Thailand's black tiger prawn farming industry.
 
The centre will be based in two separate locations - one in a naval base in the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima, while the other is in Prince of Songkhla University's Surat Thani campus.
 
According to BIOTEC Director Prof. Morakot Tanticharoen, the most pressing problems facing shrimp farmers in Thailand today are the lack of parent broodstock, the environmental impact of shrimp farming, and concerns over chemical residues.
 
Prof. Morakot has warned that unless these problems are addressed, Thailand's shrimp farming industry could face ruin within the next 12 years.
 
The new centre aims to reduce the production costs for broodstock from the current Bt8,000 per pair to only Bt3,000, while cutting the maturation period from four months to three.
 
Besides helping to save around Bt9.8 billion each year in broodstock production costs for the country, the programme could also help to save Bt4 billion in medical bills and chemical costs for shrimp farmers.