Guyana records 495 kg harvest of prawns, aims to generate over US$2 Million

Guyana records a successful harvest of 495 kg of prawns from the ponds at the Onverwagt Shrimp and Prawns production facility in West Coast Berbice. It marks a significant milestone in the aquaculture sector of the country with a vision to generate over US$2 M

While shedding light on the Onverwagt Prawns Project, the Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha stated that it is poised to generate over US $2M annually which demonstrates the economic potential and positive impact of this endeavour on the agricultural landscape of Guyana.

He stated that the successful harvest from one pond yielding 495kg of prawns is equivalent to 70% of the total initial prawn population. He outlines that such development shed light on the efficient management and growth potential of the facility.

The Minister further asserted on his plans to harvest the remaining 30 percent within the coming month and stated that the project’s sustainable approach to production is truly evident.

Minister Mustapha asserted that the current world market price is US $15,000 per ton which yields an estimated US $750,000 for a single prawn crop.

Moreover, the Project Engineer, Raymond Latchman shed light on the Onverwagt Prawns Project undertaken by the Ministry of Agriculture and stated that the recent harvest serves as a trial run whose production is expected to escalate during subsequent harvests.

He further stated that they have increased the stocking number to 380,000 in their second pawn. They are expected to see production of the first harvest within three months and the finals in four. “It takes about three to four months to grow because some grow faster than others,” noted Raymond Latchman.

Notably, the farm which currently caters to the international market, will feature ten production ponds, three water storage ponds, and four nursery ponds, with an expected annual production capacity of around 360 tons of shrimp.

And, as per the current production of the Onverwagt Shrimp and Prawns production facility, it is anticipated that three crops per year will yield a total of US $2.2 million annually from the ten pounds.

While expressing excitement on result of their trial run, Latchman stated that they are truly satisfied with the size. He stated that it took them bit longer as the first batch was like an experimental activity for them. However, they understand what the constraints they are working and so, therefore, they are satisfied with the production and its size.

He also added that the harvest has already been sold to an exporter and is being processed for the export market. He added that five pounds have designated, with two already in production.

According to the Project Engineer, they have currently constructed nine ponds and also have three water storage ponds which entail the storage of sea water and the treatment of return water. He added that they don’t want to dump the wastewater directly into the sea so they can recirculate that water and reuse it.