Appendix 5

FEASIBILITY OF FRESHWATER PRAWN FARMING (GROW-OUT)
IN SINDH, PAKISTAN (1996)

The following estimate of the financial feasibility of farming freshwater prawns in Sindh Province, Pakistan, was based on the use of hatchery-reared 3 g juveniles, to be produced initially in a government hatchery/demonstration farm. The unit costs utilized in the following estimates are contained in Appendix 4. The estimates are for a single one-hectare pond on land already owned*.

*  Land costs, which would in any case be highly site-specific, have been excluded because many already own land. Obviously, capital costs will be higher if land has to be purchased and developed. Conversely, capital costs would be nil or very low, if the prawn farm is based on an existing finfish pond.

** No financial costs have been included. Loans for agricultural development are currently available, for 80% of total costs, at 13–16%.

*** An estimated gross profit of PRs 34 750/ha was given in the PARC PC-1, which was based on an annual harvest of 600 kg. However, the PARC PC-1 document excluded any costs for construction, being based on the use of an existing carp pond.