We’re Raising ‘Ulang’!

This week, we received the first 10,000 freshwater prawn fry from the Southeast Asia Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) as we conduct our first experiment of growing “Ulang” (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) in controlled environment in Kidapawan City.
The commercial growing of baby prawns into full-grown “Ulang” for the local market is part of the experiments being made by Filipino-American farmer-scientist Rocky French for the Southseas Agri-Aqua Ventures Inc. (SAAVI), a small company founded by former Senator Panfilo Lacson.
This our second experiment in the SAAVI Multi-Species Hatchery after Rocky succeeded in developing a new Tilapia hybrid using locally available families.
The baby freshwater prawns are now in a traft inside our hatchery where they will be kept until they are ready to be transferred to the ponds.
Inside the rectangular nets in our ponds, they will be raised until they reach the age of 7 to 8 months when they are expected to grow to about 100 grams each.
This experiment will determine whether it is economically viable to grow freshwater prawns or “Ulang” for the commercial market.
SEAFDEC Director Dan Baliao, who is supporting this experiment, said “Ulang” fry is now available from the Center and the commercial success of our experiment in the SAAVI Hatchery will be critical in promoting freshwater prawns farming.

#KungGustoMaramingParaan!