Brackish water shrimp farming: Tiny animals a big boost to Berbice

By Malisa Playter- Harry

Sewdat Persaud, an aquaculture farmer and businessman, grew up around his father’s modest fish farm. It was a venture his father made a living from, as he supplied locals with seafood.

Persaud, now the Secretary of the Aquaculture Cooperative Society, followed his father’s footsteps but expanded operations significantly, getting much more involved in the brackish- water shrimp business.

“After I took over, we expanded the farms and started by targeting local markets, later branching out to the diaspora,” Persaud explains.

Through persistent advocacy, the cooperative brought the sector’s potential to the attention of key government figures, including  President Dr. Irfaan Ali, Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, and several ministers.

Brackish- water shrimp farming

These efforts paid off, he said, as government intervention has been pivotal in driving the sector’s growth.

Generally, aquaculture in East Berbice, specifically, has experienced remarkable growth over the past few years, transforming into a booming industry.

The number of fish ponds alone has surged from just 40 to over 150, a clear indicator of the thriving state of aquaculture in the region.

The revival of brackish-water shrimp farming, an industry that began over 40 years ago but had dwindled by 2020, is a huge part of the aquaculture sector’s expansion.

Farmer, Sewdat Persaud

In 2020, Persaud said monthly shrimp production had stagnated at around 30,000 to 35,000 kilogrammes.

However, the government intervention in 2021 breathed new life into the industry. Today, shrimp production exceeds 100,000 kilograms per month, a dramatic increase leading to profound economic benefits for farmers.

Persaud highlighted the change in his operation.

“I used to get 15-20 buckets per month. Now, I receive 45-60 buckets, sometimes valued up to $50,000 per bucket, though it’s currently around $40,000,” the farmer highlighted.

This sharp rise in production is largely driven by increasing demand from members of the diaspora, who now play a key role in the supply chain.

Brackish- water shrimp farming

The Ministry of Agriculture, through the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC), also played a crucial role in this resurgence. Though initial government support was necessary, many farmers now export to the diaspora independently.

The value of this sector isn’t unknown.

A total of 815,496 kilogrammes of shrimp were produced between January to November 2023. This was a 49 per cent increase compared to the 548,900 kilogrammes produced over the same period in 2022.

And in 2023, up to November, the shrimp raked in about $1.3 billion.

Aquaculture and brackish-water shrimp farming has been significant enough to encourage substantial investments in 2024.

In the first half of 2024, according to the Ministry of Finance’s Mid-year report, $157.2 million was spent to advance Guyana’s fishing sector. Included in that sum is an investment in 83 acres of ponds for the brackish-water shrimps.

In the second half of the year, the report noted that 205 acres of ponds will be established for both brackish-water shrimp and vannamei.

Additional ponds are expected to increase production.

The government is also investing in improving the infrastructure necessary to sustain shrimp farming. Drainage and irrigation have been prioritised, with major canal projects, such as the re-digging of the canal from Belvedere to Albion, ensuring better water management for shrimp farms.

Four new sluices have also been constructed to regulate water flow, and many farmers are benefiting from polytube irrigation, further optimising their operations.

Training has been another critical factor in the industry’s success. Through collaborations with the Fisheries Department and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), farmers have shifted from extensive to semi-intensive farming systems.

Wazim Baux, a farmer from Kilcoy Dam

Wazim Baux, a farmer from Kilcoy Dam, East Berbice, Corentyne attests to the impact of government intervention on his livelihood.

“Since the government intervention, we have more land, more harvesting space. We get new channels on the sea dam to bring in shrimp, so we can extend and employ more people. This has been very fruitful for us,’ he said.

Baux currently manages 16 acres of pond space, employs two workers, and is optimistic about the future of shrimp farming.

Like Persaud and Baux, other farmers across the ancient country are banking on the tiny animals for success.

More than 90 shrimp ponds have been established, benefiting over 40 farmers across various areas, including Kilcoy, Chesney, Albion and Fyrish.

It is believed that there remain untapped opportunities in areas such as Alness, Manchester, and Tarlogie where the local culture is less familiar with shrimp farming. Stakeholders are exploring how to get more persons involved in the aquaculture business.

For their part, Persaud and Baux are firm believers in the venture. They hope more Berbicians will capitalise on the ongoing expansion of the sector.

The post Brackish water shrimp farming: Tiny animals a big boost to Berbice appeared first on News Room Guyana.