Monday, December 10, 2012

How to do Small scale Prawn farming business

 Freshwater prawn farming is always a challenge for new farmers who have little experience in fish farming. But for an experienced farmer, it is always a good profit generating small scale business idea. In India,a farmer can easily arrange a space for prawn farming as there are lots of freshwater bodies available.But there are lots of things which need to be considered before starting a prawn farming.

Preparing a pond/water body for prawn farming

 The water body can be pond,river or parts of field where we can store water for prawn farming.Lets say it as pond for our convenience.The pond should have minimum 2.5 feet depth and rectangular shape is preferred. The bottom of the pond should be cleaned well and PH should be leveled in the range of 7-8.Applying Lime will help to prevent diseases and increase plankton in the pond.Pure water should be available inside the pond.Apply cow dung at the bottom.This will help to increase the fertility of pond and thus increase the aquatic life inside the pond.If the area is a field,then the food availability will be high for prawns.Allow 8-10 days for the pond to develop aquatic life inside it.

Growing and Feeding

 Larvae preparation and growing them for one month are done at Hatchery.We can buy good quality one month old freshwater prawns from Hatcheries.Prawns have to be released 10-20 thousands per hector basis.They should be fed 2-3 times a day.Oxygen level of pond water should be monitored and quality water should be ensured.As the prawns grow,more oxygen and food is required in the pond.So the food quantity and aeration should be increased.

Harvesting

 Prawns are normally harvested after 6 months.but it depends upon their growing conditions and breed.They will be at an average of 40g per prawn at this time. Initially partial harvesting is done to reduce the density of prawns inside the pond.Then later full harvesting is done by draining the pond and putting a net at the water outlet.The collected prawns are cleaned and processed for marketing.

Marketing

 Local market is always a good customer for freshwater prawns.But exporting will help farmer to get more income.Exporters are invited to the farm before the harvest and contract is signed as bulk.This will help the farmer to avoid marketing headache.By forming co-operative societies,farmers can do direct exporting or can negotiate with exporters for better price.Even direct selling in local market also possible.

Risks

 There are risks associated with this farming.There are lots of diseases which may wipe out entire prawns in a pond.By consulting our local veterinary doctor or fisheries experts,we can prevent them or take remedies.The pond should be protected from predators and intruders.

  Prices of food especially fish items are increasing day by day and more people prefer fish items rather than meats.So the demand and profitability of fish farming will always increase.So this is a good business opportunity for an innovative farmer.

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44 comments:

  1. How much investment is required in Small scale Prawn farming. Is their any body whom can we consult before starting this business. I am very interested in this business please tell me where I can get guidance to start it.

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    1. Dear Mayank,Investment mainly vary based on your location,size of farm and breeds you farm.Other parameters also will come in to picture.You can consult with nearest fisheries department ,KVK to get proper guidance suitable to your location.Try to have a visit to your nearest farm-This will give you better idea

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  2. Whats the investment required to start up prawn farming.please provide the contact number for consultation.

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    1. What is the minimum size of pond required for successful prawn farming

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    2. minimum 1 hector is good to start.

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    3. Investment depends on the place you do business.For a starter,There is no such minimum size to have a successful farm.It mainly depends on the availability of farm area and how you utilize the area.

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  3. Can i get detailed project report for prawns farming? What is avg quantity of prawns we get per hecter?

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    1. you can stock upto 60 pl per meter square.the outcome depends on the survival rate.

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    2. Hi Sunil,The harvest mainly depends on the intensity of farming.Usually you get 50-70% survival rate depending on the farm practice you follow.The stocking Density may be between 4000-5000 post larvae per Hector.Again this depends whether you do polyculture or monoculture. If polyculture,you can reduce stocking density to half of the above.For preparing detailed project report,you can contact nearest KVK.They will gude you

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  4. what is the minimum area of land required for the business

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    1. Dear Suyog,There is no such minimum area criteria for starting a prawn farm.But .5 to 1.5 Hector would be convenient for sustained farming.A pond with 40-50 m width and length based on the availability of your land will be suitable for prawn farming.

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  5. I have a swimming pool in my unit which we dont use.....it is 10 x 3x1.2 metres...can we convert to prawn farming?

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    1. For starting purpose,you can do it on small level.Try to do polyculture with some carps so that you will get some experience.Dont crowd the pool with large numbers of prawns.You need to fertilize the pool too

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  6. Pls any prawn farmer contact ph no give mr

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  7. The farmers in Andhra Pradesh take 3 crops in a year and they take out crop in 3 months with 40 gms min.

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  8. How to avoid heat weather and protect the prawns???

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    1. You can go for artificial methods with the suggestions from Experts.Meanwhile I will suggest some natural solution.
      1.You can ensure proper aeration/Ventilation
      2.Increase the count of algae,microbs,planktons in the pond by using natural fertilizers.The microbs will cover the pond surface and act as a layer to defend heat waves from entering inside pond
      3.Selection of farm area is important
      If the issue is major,I would suggest you go for artificial systems with Expert guidance

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  9. i m doing freshwater prawns farming in karnataka i hav 3 ponds there..nybody wants to know more can call me on 9769325260 gulam kohammad razvi mumbai

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  10. How much money can you make in prawn farming in 1 hectare ?

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    1. if your stocking density is 30000/ha then you can expect a net profit between 80000-120000 per crop.it varies based on survival rate,breed and market demand...

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  11. Sir I want to start a small scale business plz I m having a small pond in my fram I want to start this business plz suggest me proper way to Start a business with initial investment and requirement for particular businesses

    my mail id is nikhilme3112@gmail.com

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  12. Dear Nikhil,
    As you already have a pond with you,you can easily start a pilot project.Prepare the pond as given in the article and start the farm at minimum investment.understand that we are doing at minimum to gain experience and to taste the business.If necessary visit nearest farms,markets also.Once you feel confident,you can go for full scale..All the best

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  13. Sir
    I've cemented with 16 mtr x 6 mtr x 1.5 mtr depth.
    Sir plz need suggestion about what should be the no of prawn i should put in to it.
    I've enough cown dung, rice bran, and many other feeding in my local area. Any other feeding need for the pond. Plz suggest. satyajiitpanda@gmail.com, 8895904548, plz help me

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    Replies
    1. Hi Satyajit,
      Normally Stocking density per Hectare is 4000 to 5000 numbers of post larvae.You can convert the number to your tank size.As the tank size is small you can increase the number you get.

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  14. sir, how are i am Aftab Roy from karachi pakistan,please help me i want required small size prawn growth and feed,

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    1. Hi Aftab,

      You can check the same with any nearby Prawn farmer.Chck with two three farmers and enquire in your local market also.

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  15. Hello sir,
    I'm an aspiring entrepreneur and I am really looking forward to start a business venture
    As I'm a native to konkan coast I'm very much interested in prawns farming
    I haven't learned fisheries so could you help me differentiating between fresh water and marine water shrimp farming
    Also which is more profitable between the two
    And how many crops can I produce on a 1 hector land annually

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    1. Hi Pratik,

      Freshwater prawns are larger than marine shrimps.Both have export demand.You can select one based on your infrastructure.4000-5000 post larvae can be farmed in 1 hectare

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  16. Sir,am interested to do this fresh water shrimp farming in my pond which is quite deep and cool down below. Is it OK for shrimp. I would also like to know where I can get 01 month old shrimps in kerala

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    1. Hi Pradeep,
      As you have not mentioned the depth of your pond,if the depth is very deep you may increase the oxygen availabilty. You can have a try and decide by the result.

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    2. You can search in justdial for getting the supplier list.All the best

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  17. What are the taxes that need to be paid. we already have a license from CAA. do we have to register a company?

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    Replies
    1. Hi Sarthak
      If you are carrying on coastal aquaculture,you need to take Coastal Aquaculture Authority License.If you are planing for Export then Export License also required.It is advisable to take registration your farm.

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    2. Hello sir,
      Any requirement of aerators please feel free to contact Mr. G. Uday (+917674918779) we the manufacturers of aerators and we give the best quality and best price.

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  18. hi i need full guidance , as i have heard about this farming and want invest in,please contact on 7045230779

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  19. Sir, how much minimum space is required to start initially for small scale production??

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  20. sir am planning to do indoor prawn farming.does it works ?

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  21. I have the pond already in ready condition. Just want to know what the investment for prawns food. Price of prawns.

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  22. Price of prawns and food required for prawns.

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  23. Dear all, all these questions and answers are excellent for those who wish to start new farm for business. I am from Papua New Guinea, a country in the Pacific and researching to start prawn farm. Any expert or experienced prawn farmers kindly share your knowledge and skills.

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  24. All these questions and answers are excellent for new farmers. I also plan to start a prawn farm and need some expert advise. The location is where fresh water and saltwater meet (mouth of a river).

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  25. WE HAVE 3 TALAV AREA IS 100/45 METERS CAN U HELP ME HOW MUCH STOCKING IN EACH TALAV AREA. WE HAVE ALSO 4 ARRETORE IN EACH TALAV AREA
    THIS TIME WE USE GOLDAN MARIN SEED IS IT OK?

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  26. I am preparing pond of size 40*15 *2 meter.
    How many prawn seeds are needed to be used at start and how many prawn/kg we get after 4-6months?

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  27. I want to start fresh water shrimp farming with one lackh investment. how much area required to start this business with this above amount? please give some technical guidance to start my business.

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