‘PH shrimp farming needs boost’

BACOLOD CITY – Thailand and Philippines are working closely on boosting local shrimp farming to help meet growing global demand, Thai Ambassador Thanatip Upatising said here during the opening of the 11th National Shrimp Congress at the SMX Convention Center.

Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol, who graced the event, turned over a R20-million loan package to farmers from southern Negros.

Upatising said that it is time for the Philippines to boost its shrimp production because it has a long shoreline, adding that it will not just be good for the country but for the neighboring Southeast Asian countries as well.

“This is something we want to bring you back. Thailand is not a competitor because we are in ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations),” he said, referring to the shrimp production as part of the initiatives to address food security in the region.

“If it’s good for the Philippines, it will also be good for Thailand,” Upatising added.

Thailand is one of the biggest exporters of shrimp in the region.

It has exported 150,000 metric tons so far this year.

He also said that during 1980s, the Philippines was the top exporter of shrimp and the government should revive it by giving the farmers more technological assistance.

Upatising said technology and assistance from the government must be provided to these shrimp growers, as well as letting more private investments come in to give farmers more benefits.

“As you can see, the Philippine industry is controlled only by small groups and players (investors). We need to let more people come in to have a fair market competition,” he said, adding that it would be beneficial to the farmers as the private sector will give them everything they needed to boost their production.

He said that if the government cannot extend assistance to all sectors, the private sector could step in.

The Thai ambassador likewise expressed that shrimp diseases like white spot syndrome have affected the industry in terms of production.