The proposed program addresses the needs to develop value added freshwater prawn (shrimp) products and to establish strategic market characteristics, potential volume of sales and market prices to support existing and future production. This information will allow for economic sustainable development of value added product lines and marketing infrastructures determined by market demand. The results of the proposed project will create the foundation of information needed to enable development of future marketing strategies, statewide processing needs as well as expanded production levels. APPROACH: Kentucky possesses the needs and qualities to become an excellent location for freshwater prawn production, distribution and consumption. Based on ten years of research at Kentucky State University's Aquaculture Research Center, and seven years of freshwater prawn field trial production, further efforts are justified in developing value added shrimp products and marketing strategies to address the needs of present and future expanded production. Successful development of value added shrimp products and market characteristics will support expanded production strategies to produce sizes, amounts and forms required by market demand. NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: Historically, Kentucky farmers have been economically sustained by tobacco production allowing many large and small acreage farmers to survive. This culture is drastically changing, and aquaculture is now providing a new means of production for many of these farmers. Aquaculture is one of the fastest growing food production activities in the world, and is the fastest growing segment of U.S. Agriculture. The U.S. imports in excess of $2.5 billion in shrimp products each year. Despite obvious economic incentives, shrimp farming in the U.S. has never developed, largely due to requirements that farms be located in coastal regions where wetland protection laws and competition from recreational uses make land costs prohibitive. Continued research supports that the species Macrobrachium rosenbergii (known as prawns) can be raised in inland ponds and grow better at lower temperatures. They are self-limiting in production and are not susceptible to diseases devastating to marine shrimp. Macrobrachium rosenbergii lend themselves to utilization of small ponds and integrate well into diversified operations and schedules of full and part-time farmers. This research is intended to develop new value added products and evaluate market potentials to eventually help small farmers transitioning from tobacco production into new aquaculture enterprises. The proposed project is designed to accommodate Kentucky farmers with the potential of adapting to the needs of other regions and areas of the country where freshwater prawn production can exist.
Keywords: aquaculture; freshwater prawns; shrimp; value added products; market development
