The situation and problems of Macrobrachium rosenbergii farming in Mueang district, Yang Talat district, Kalasin province

Abstract

Macrobrachium rosenbergii (giant freshwater prawn) an economically important aquatic animal is popularly cultured in inland farms. However, the farmers are facing problems of unpredictable yield and insufficient production to meet the market demand. To obtain the fundamental information and to create technology for sustainable prawn farming in Kalasin Province, this research aimed to assess situations and problems of prawn farming that affect prawn production in Muang and Yang Talat districts, Kalasin Province. The methods used for data collection were questionnaires and interviews. The target group in the study was 259 farmers (37.70%).  The results showed that farmers in Kalasin Province can be classified into 2 groups including 1) group using semi-intensive system culture of 66 farmers (25.48%) producing average prawn yields of 222.35±60.82 kg/rai, and 2) group using traditional extensive system culture of 193 farmers (74.52%) producing average prawn yields of 135.53±22.72 kg/rai. Problems affecting prawn yields could be classified into 3 groups according to famers’ opinions. The problems encountered were 1) high severity problem: water shortage thus causing lack of water exchange, 2) moderate severity problem: prawn death during long-distance transportation, inequitable size of prawns, prawn not molt, sewage, insufficient water, usage of agricultural lime, insufficient oxygen, and accumulation of organic matter from the residual food and manure, and 3) low severity problem: microorganism application used for balancing environmental quality. In conclusion, the results of interviewing showed that the main problems of prawn farmers were the lack appropriate of farm management and water quality management. Therefore, related agencies must support and help the farmers by which sustain prawn production can be achieved.