Shrimp farming, in general, can be divided into two main forms: extensive and intensive farming. Then, based on other characteristics, it can be further subdivided into models such as improved extensive, semi-intensive, super-intensive, etc. When deciding to follow the shrimp industry, you need to know your actual conditions, then understand the advantages and disadvantages of each model, thereby choosing the right farming method for you, rather than hurrying to follow the crowd. Because the life of each person’s scene and each model has different levels of investment, technical requirements and natural conditions.
Shrimp Farming Models
Extensive farming
Extensive shrimp farming often uses traditional farming techniques, relying mainly on natural yields and little control over stocking numbers. This is a form of rearing with breed and natural food by taking water and food through the sluice gate and keeping it for a certain time (depending on regional conditions). Shrimp density in ponds is usually low with large pond area (ranging from 2 to 100 ha).
Advantages: Low investment and operating capital because it is based on the natural environment, does not cost much for breed and feed, requires little labor for a production unit (ha) and the farming time is usually not long. because the breed has grown. Shrimp cultured in the form of extensive farming is less susceptible to common diseases such as appendage necrosis (broken antennae, worn tail, …) and has rather thick shells and firmer muscles than intensively cultured shrimp (using industrial feed).
Disadvantages: Low productivity and profitability. In order to increase production, it is necessary to increase the farming area, so it will be difficult to operate and manage, especially in natural ponds with irregular shapes. With the current high price of land, this model has great limitations.
Improved extensive farming
This is a farming method based on the extensive model but with additional stocking at low density (0.5-2 fish/m2) and/or occasional (industrial) feeding. This form of farming is usually compensatory pruning.
Advantages: Low investment and operating costs, can add breed collected naturally or artificially. While keeping the quality of shrimp like extensive farming, at the same time, it helps to improve the productivity of the farm.
Disadvantages: Must add large seed to avoid loss due to many enemies in the pond. Productivity and profitability are still low, and it is also difficult to manage due to extensive pond shape and size.
Model of shrimp-rice, shrimp-forest
This is a form of extensive farming combined with planting mangroves in coastal areas or intercropping with rice cultivation in brackish water areas. This is considered an ecological farming model that is receiving much attention and favor from environmental organizations.
For the shrimp-forrest model, people in coastal areas return to the old tradition when the dams to prevent salinity and forests have not been destroyed, twice a month to remove shrimp according to the water, once every ten years to prune and replant the mangrove forest. The forest area usually accounts for 30-40% of the pond area.
The rice-shrimp model is applied in brackish water areas, where freshwater-brackish water is seasonal, in which rice is grown in the freshwater season and shrimp is released in the saltwater season. The use of fertilizers and drugs is therefore carefully considered to ensure biosecurity and organic quality.
Advantages: This ecological farming model creates a favorable environment for shrimp to grow like in the wild, limiting environmental pollution. The commercial shrimp is of good quality, meets organic standards and can be sold to high-end overseas markets.
Disadvantages: Productivity is not high compared to the pond area used.
Semi-intensive farming
It is a farming method that combines the principles of extensive and intensive farming. Still relying on technology and the natural environment to operate but with controlled stocking and relying mainly on external food sources (could be industrial feed or a combination of fresh food). Stocking density ranges from 8-10 ind/m2 according to standard or 15-24 ind/m2 in practice, with small pond area (from 0.5-1 ha).
Advantages: Operating costs are not as high as intensive farming, but yield is higher than extensive farming due to higher stocking density, amount of food (industrial) and technology used while the land area used is reduced .
Disadvantages: The quality of commercial shrimp is lower than that of extensive farming, so the selling price is low, but the output is not as much as intensive farming.
Intensive farming
It is a form of farming based entirely on external food, mainly using high quality (industrial) feed. High stocking density from 25-60 ind/m2. Pond area from 0.5-2 ha, fully built for active water supply and drainage, fully equipped with facilities for management and operation (system of tunnel ponds, irrigation, electricity and water, etc.)
Advantages: The pond is completely built, small in size, so it is easy to operate and manage. High yield with large size of shrimp. It is possible to proactively control stocking quantities, diseases, harvesting methods and improve input quality.
Disadvantages: High investment and maintenance costs. A relative understanding of the species cultured is required to design and maintain environmental parameters, stocking density and feed in optimal condition. And intensive systems also produce waste from shrimp nutrients such as phosphorus and ammonia, which can cause high eutrophication and nitrification thereby polluting the surrounding environment.
Currently, in addition to traditional extensive and intensive farming models, there are also models of super-intensive, hyper-intensive and ultra-intensive farming with the application of advanced engineering technology and complex management processes to reduce land use and increase stocking density. These models can give very high productivity but at the same time also come with many problems in management, diseases, water quality, etc.
