2 Site selection

A STUDY OF THE POTENTIAL market for the product and careful selection of suitable sites for prawn culture, whether it be for the larval (hatchery) or grow-out phases, is an essential prerequisite for successful farming. Failure to realize this before any project is commenced is likely to cause the ultimate downfall of the enterprise, which not only has unfortunate consequences for the farmer and investor(s) involved but may also cause serious damage to the image of prawn farming, both nationally and even internationally.

Marketing is covered later in this manual.
The current section of the manual contains a brief description of the essential characteristics of good sites for freshwater prawn farming. More detailed information is available in a review by Muir and Lombardi (2000). You are also strongly recommended to obtain and study the FAO manuals on topography (FAO 1988, 1989b), soils (FAO 1985), and water (FAO 1981), as well as the section on site selection in FAO (1995)1.

1 These manuals are not specific to freshwater prawns. They are relevant to many forms of fish and crustacean farming and are designed for advanced extension workers.

 

2.1. Hatcheries and indoor nurseries

2.2. Outdoor nurseries and grow-out facilities