Technological assessment of the shrimp industry in Sri Lanka | |
| Author | Rupasinghe, Jagath Wickrama |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.AE-96-15 |
| Subject(s) | Shrimp industry--Sri Lanka Technology assessment--Sri Lanka |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | Expansion of shrimp farming into more areas is important to the economy of Sri Lanka due to its high income generating ability, high export earnings and potential for use as an avenue to improve the living standard of poor people by introducing small scale farms. This study was conducted to identify the present status and potential for expansion of shrimp industry in terms of socio-political set up, existing technology, infrastructure facilities and support services. Several case studies, informal discussions and existing documented information were used in this study. A model was developed to assess the functions in four technological components, i.e. hatchery, grow-out, post harvest processing and feed processing, of the shrimp industry. The existing hatcheries engage in all activities ranging from broodstock maturation to PL nursing stage. They can be grouped as small, medium and large scale according to the annual PL production capacity. All hatcheries use similar management practices except in water treatment systems and algae culture method. Lack of broodstock is the bottleneck to the industry. Grow-out farms practice semi-intensive system. Farms can be grouped into two levels according to the stocking density and O2 supply. (Level 1: stocking density 5-15 PL/ m2 with or without aeration and level 2: stocking density 15-25 PL/ m2 with aeration). The common technical problems are lack of water management and disease control practices for both hatchery and grow-out farms. The post-harvest processing component has technological capability to produce good quality value added products. Feed processing is the least developed component due to lack of technical know-how. There is a communication gap between government and industry due to inadequate of technical and extension services and a proper regulating and monitoring body. Existing infrastructure facilities have to be strengthened for a better service. Though there are some social protests against shrimp farming, the socio-political set up is in favor of the shrimp industry. The existing institutional and legal framework is not properly implemented due to social, political and bureaucratic problems. In terms of economic returns, both hatcheries and grow-out farms are gaining high profit margins which has caused uncontrollable expansion of the industry as investors usually seek short term gains rather than long term sustainability. The main reason for the present problems in existing shrimp farming areas is due to the implementation of government policy to operate the shrimp industry as an export-oriented business without proper regulatory procedures. A management plan delineating existing/potential shrimp farming zones accompanied by a feasible monitoring program have to be developed before expanding the industry to minimize existing social and environmental problems. |
| Year | 1996 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (Former title: Department of Food Agriculture, and BioResources (DFAB)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Agricultural and Food Engineering (AE) |
| Chairperson(s) | Yakupitiyage, Amararatne;Ramanathan, Krishnamurthy; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Hambrey, John; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | DAAD; |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1996 |