December 23, 2008

 

 

The closed farming system ensures a disease-free production of white shrimp, which would allow CPF to gain access to markets with strict safety standards, said president and CEO Adirek Sripratak.

 

Adirek said the company's first biosecurity farm was based in a 3,000-rai area in Trat, 230 km east of Bangkok.

 

The farm is divided into four 70-rai modules, costing THB250 million each and expected to yield 1,200 tonnes per module each year. Each module is run under strict temperature, feeding and ventilation as well as mechanised water treatment and harvesting systems.

 

Adirek said CPF plans to expand the project to 12 modules, which would require an additional investment of THB3 billion.

 

Under this project, shrimp are bred at three different levels - fries, young shrimp and mature shrimp that are ready for harvesting, said Sujit Kaewchum, vice president for shrimp farming techniques at CPF.

 

Each crop takes 125 days before it can be harvested.

 

Sujit said this farming method did not use any chemicals, and ensures better quality shrimp that is fresher and larger.

 

The system, which involves temperature control and automatic feeding, also facilitates year-long production. If the project proves to be a success in Thailand, the system will be introduced to other countries that have longer and colder winters, such as China.

 

Shrimp bred under this system had already been launched in both domestic and overseas markets, but they were sold at 10-percent more expensive than normal produce, said Adirek.

 

The shrimp is promoted as a premium product and the price is reasonable, said Adirek, adding that the product would help boost Thailand's shrimp exports.