FI:TCP/SUR/6651 Field Document 1 February 1987 TECHNICAL COOPERATION PROGRAMME MARINE SHRIMP CULTURE IN SURINAME |
SURINAME
A report prepared for the
Project for the development of
marine shrimp culture in tidal ponds
based on the work of
B. Détante, P. Garen and P. Lemercier
(FRANCE-AQUACULTURE)
ABSTRACT
The present study was funded by the FAO and was performed by 3 experts of the french Company FRANCE-AQUACULTURE : One shrimp aquaculturist, one civil engineer and one economist. The field phase in SURINAME started on November 10, 1986 and was completed on November 24. The main elements, conclusion and recommendations of the report are summarized in the following lines.
A - POTENTIALITIES
The coastal areas of SURINAME show large potentialities for the development of marine shrimp culture as 30 000 ha or more could be utilized, on mid term, for the construction of shrimp grow-out ponds.
Most of the required inputs such as feed, fertilizers, etc… can be locally made and are already available even with a large percentage of foreign component in their cost.
Unfortunately, the present status of the hatchery process and the absence of suitable sites do not allow to produce locally the juveniles. If shrimp culture develops in SURINAME, the country will likely remain an importer of hatchery produced juveniles.
B - PROFITABILITY AND POTENTIAL IMPACT
2 financial analysis have been performed : one on a semi-industrial farm (50 ha of ponds) and one on an industrial farm (500 ha of ponds). They show that rearing and exporting shrimps can be highly profitable in SURINAME. However, the most profitable farms will be the industrial ones with an internal rate of return amounting to 26 %. Furthermore, the internal rate of return on foreign component only reaches 64 %.
For large industrial farms the earnings of foreign currency will reach 3 US $ per kg of exported shrimp (production cost 4,18 US $/kg with 75 % in foreign component and export at 6,2 US $/ kg).
Provided 30 000 ha at least be utilized for shrimp culture on long term :
- The production could reach about 50 000 tons/year ;
- The earnings of foreign currency could amount to US $ 150 millions per year ;
- 6 000 jobs would be created for the operation of the farm (induced jobs not included).
C - SHORT TERM ACTIONS
The first and priority objective of the Government is now to build and run successfully the Pilot-demonstration farm with a necessary input of foreign expertise (foreign know-how). The preselected site has been analyzed by the experts and is definitely considered as suitable for the future pilot farm. A basic lay-out has been prepared and the total investment cost is estimated at 1 100 000 S.Fl with 62 % in foreign component i.e. about US $ 375 000.
However, due to the present economic situation in SURINAME, drastic lack of foreign currency, the pilot project will likely fail if it is not financially planned in detail for the next 2–3 years (mainly as regards the future needs of foreign currency for both the construction costs and 2 years of operating costs).
To solve this urgent problem we suggest a short mission be performed in the coming weeks (1 civil engineer and 1 economist during one week in SURINAME and one week in home office). It will aim at estimating in details :
- The construction cost,
- The operation budget for the 2 first years of production, with a detailed breakdown in local and foreign currencies.
This financial planning of the pilot farm should include the suggestion to extend the assignment of the shrimp culture expert on the pilot farm from 12 to 24 man-months.
D - SUGGESTED STRATEGY
In our point of view, and in conclusion, the SURINAME conditions are extremely favourable to grow marine shrimps at a low cost. However, the development of the activity should absolutely be associated with reliable sources of juveniles i.e. with a real control (by private Surinamese out-growers or by the Government) of industrial hatcheries based abroad.
This report was prepared during the course of the project identified on the title page. The conclusions and recommendations given in the report are those considered appropriate at the time of its preparation. They may be modified in the light of further knowledge gained at subsequent stages of the project.
The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this document do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the United Nations or the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations concerning the legal or constitutional status of any country, territory or sea area, or concerning the delimitation of frontiers.
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS
Rome, 1985
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CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION AND TERMS OF REFERENCE
1 - General characteristics of the country
2 - Socio-economic characteristics of the country
CHAPTER III: MARINE SHRIMP CULTURE POTENTIALITIES IN SURINAME
2 - Technical production potentialities
3 - Cultivation strategy and species
4 - Justification of a pilot-demonstration farm
CHAPTER IV: FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC FEASIBILITY OF MARINE SHRIMP CULTURE IN SURINAME
2 - Financial and economic analysis of a 500 ha grow-out farm
3 - Financial and economic analysis of a 50 ha grow-out farm
4 - Perspectives of development and potential impact of marine shrimp culture in suriname
CHAPTER V: THE PILOT DEMONSTRATION FARM