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588 Int. J. Biotechnology, Vol. 10, No. 6, 2008

Copyright © 2008 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.

Aquacultural biotechnology in Thailand: the case of the shrimp industry

Morakot Tanticharoen National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC) National Science and Technology Development Agency 113 Thailand Science Park, Phahonyothin Road Klong 1, Klong Luang, Pathumthani 12120 Bangkok, Thailand Fax: (66–2) 564 6705 E-mail: [email protected]

Timothy W. Flegel National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology National Science and Technology Development Agency Bangkok, Thailand and The Center of Excellence for Shrimp Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (Centex Shrimp) Faculty of Science, Mahidol University Rama VI Road, 10400 Bangkok, Thailand Fax: (66 2) 354–7344 E-mail: [email protected]

Watcharin Meerod* and Uthaiwan Grudloyma National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC) National Science and Technology Development Agency 113 Thailand Science Park, Phahonyothin Road Klong 1, Klong Luang, Pathumthani 12120, Bangkok, Thailand Fax: (66–2) 564 6703 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] *Corresponding author

Nuchjaree Pisamai National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC) National Science and Technology Development Agency 113 Thailand Science Park, Phahonyothin Road Klong 1, Klong Luang, Pathumthani 12120, Bangkok, Thailand Fax: (66–2) 564 6704 E-mail: [email protected]

Aquacultural biotechnology in Thailand: the case of the shrimp industry 589

Abstract: For the past decade, Thailand has been the leading exporter of shrimp and shrimp products to the world market and the income generated contributes substantially to the Thai economy. There are more than one million people employed directly or indirectly by the industry. At present, there is forceful competition due to price differences among major shrimp growing countries and due to new regulations resulting from consumer demands about product safety and environmental friendliness. In addition, various new disease threats have emerged, making management of shrimp cultivation ponds more complex. In the face of these pressures, Thailand has succeeded in maintaining its position as the leading exporter of cultivated shrimp. This paper describes the strategies that have evolved to fuel this success. Changes in the government’s role, public policy and support mechanisms, particularly via the industry cluster approach, are considered to be important driving factors.

Keywords: Aquaculture; biotechnology; shrimp industry; Thailand; P. monodon; black tiger shrimp; shrimp disease prevention; diagnostic kits; broodstock; policy lesson; shrimp cluster.

Reference to this paper should be made as follows: Tanticharoen, M., Flegel, T.W., Meerod, W., Grudloyma, U. and Pisamai, N. (2008) ‘Aquacultural biotechnology in Thailand: the case of the shrimp industry’, Int. J. Biotechnology, Vol. 10, No. 6, pp.588–603.

Biographical notes: Professor Morakot Tanticharoen is the Director of the National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Bangkok, Thailand. She completed her PhD degree at the University of Rhode Island, USA. She has served as the Dean of the School of Bioresource and Technology at King Mongkut’s University of Technology, Thonburi and the School of Energy and Materials. She has been the Director of BIOTEC since 2000. She was elected the President of the Thailand Society of Biotechnology in 1999 and completed her presidency in 2003. She remains an active member of the society.

Professor Timothy W. Flegel is the Head of the Center of Excellence for Shrimp Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (Centex Shrimp), BIOTEC at Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand. He has been a Professor of the Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University since 1987. He completed his PhD degree at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, Canada in 1977. His research interests are in shrimp pathology and shrimp interaction with viral pathogens. He has served as an advisor to the Thai Department of Fisheries since 2003. He was awarded the title Outstanding Teacher, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University in October 2006.

Ms. Watcharin Meerod has been a Research Assistant (Economics) of the Policy Study Program, BIOTEC, NSTDA since 1998. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in Economics at Thammasat University and Master’s degree in Economics at Chulalongkorn University, Thailand. She was one of the research team members for the study ‘Thai Shrimp Cluster Promotion’ in 2004.

Ms. Uthaiwan Grudloyma is the Manager of the Secretariat of the National Biotechnology Policy Committee, Thailand. She has served as the head of the Policy Study Program, BIOTEC, NSTDA since 1998. She completed her Master’s degree in Agricultural Science at Kasetsart University, Thailand.

590 M. Tanticharoen et al.

Ms. Nuchjaree Pisamai is the Project Analyst of the Shrimp Biotechnology Program, Research Development Design and Engineering Promotion (RDDE), BIOTEC, NSTDA. She completed her Master’s degree in Agricultural Science at the Faculty of Fishery, Kasetsart University, Thailand. She has served as the secretary of the National Shrimp Cluster Board.

1 Introduction: a global overview of shrimp production

Total shrimp production (capture and aquaculture) increased from 3.5 million Metric Tonnes (MT) in 1996 to 6.1 million MT in 2005. The contribution from aquaculture grew increasingly over the interval and by 2005 had reached 2.2 million MT, or 40% of the total. Although China is the world’s largest aquaculture producer, Thailand is the largest exporter (Figures 1 and 2).

Figure 1 Global production of shrimp by capture and aquaculture, 1950–2005 (see online version for colours)

Source: http://www.fao.org/fishery/aquaculture/en

World production of the two major species of cultivated shrimp, the black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) and the whiteleg shrimp (P. vannamei), increased exponentially since the early 1970s (Figure 3). Most of the production took place in Asia and South America and it is now fast approaching the quantity of the total capture fishery for all shrimp (Figure 4). The recent sharp increase in aquaculture shrimp production can be attributed to the widespread use of domesticated whiteleg shrimp stocks that are free of the most serious shrimp pathogens.

Other

Viet Nam

Thailand

Indonesia

India

Ecuador

China


Figure 2 Global production of shrimp from aquaculture, 1996–2005 (see online version for colours)


Figure 3 Global production of shrimp from aquaculture, 1970–2005



Figure 4 Comparison of global production from the shrimp capture fishery (all species) and from aquaculture of only black tiger and whiteleg shrimp


Thailand has been the world leader in the export of cultivated shrimp since the mid-1990s, but it is not the leading producer of cultivated shrimp. FAO statistics indicate that Thailand’s total aquaculture production for shrimp was 384 000 MT in 2005, while that of China in the same year was more than double the amount (884 164 MT). However, most of China’s production is consumed domestically and a significantly lower amount is exported, while the situation in Thailand is the opposite, i.e., most of the production is exported. In any event, global shrimp production from aquaculture is a large industry with export values in many billions of dollars per year. For some countries, it is an essential source of export revenue.

2 The global shrimp market

In 2006, the global shrimp export value was higher than US$13.8 billion. The USA has been the major market, and the market condition in the USA is now the predominant factor affecting international market price. Japan is interested in larger shrimp and processed goods to fit consumer lifestyles, while the EU mostly imports captured wild shrimp from other EU countries (Cai and Leung, 2006).


Sixty percent of the world’s shrimp imports are in the form of frozen or preserved shrimp, followed by prepared and boiled shrimp, respectively. As the world’s largest shrimp exporter, Thailand earns an average of US$1.8–2.3 billion per year. It is followed by China, Indonesia and Vietnam (Figures 5 and 6).

Figure 5 World shrimp export by country, 2006 (see online version for colours)

Source: http://www.gtis.com

Figure 6 Proportion of Thai exports in various forms, 2006 (see online version for colours)

Source: http://www.gtis.com

3 Why the shrimp industry in Thailand?

The shrimp industry accounted for 1.1% of Thailand’s GDP in 2006 (DOF, 2007; Office of the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB), 2007) and employs more than one million people nationwide in the value chain for Thai shrimp production. Thai shrimp export earnings of approximately US$2 billion come from an industry based on 90% local inputs (Institute for Management Education for Thailand Foundation, 2002). Therefore, any profit from increasing exports will largely be to the country’s benefit.


There are also many related and supporting industries in the black tiger cluster, such as animal feed, health products, public cold storage and logistics.

Figure 7 The value chain of the black tiger shrimp industry consists of five major members

The Upstream industry consists of Broodstock and Hatchery and Nursery operations. Black tigershrimp broodstock or mature shrimp are sea-caught by trawlers, as domesticated stock is still being

studied with strong support from the government. Broodstock are bred and produce nauplii thatare sold to hatcheries and nurseries to produce postlarvae.

All Thai shrimp farms for export employ an intensive farming system which is environmentally friendlyshrimp farming through the Code of Conduct (COC) and Good Aquaculture Practices (GAP) under

stringent supervision of the Department of Fisheries.

The Downstream members of the shrimp value chain consist of processors and exporters. Blacktiger shrimp are processed into two major product categories: raw forms and value-added forms such ascooked shrimp, sushi and breaded shrimp. Food processing creates the highest value-added form within

the value chain. The labour force involved in the black tiger shrimp cluster is estimated to be morethan one million people. The Thai shrimp processors are usually also packers and exporters.

4 Shrimp biotechnology in Thailand

Thailand has become a leader in shrimp exports and has gained competitive advantage through high farming productivity (Wyban, 2007). However, competition is strong from low-cost producers, as farming technology is easily transferred. Other critical issues that face the shrimp industry are adequate disease prevention and control and a secure supply of high-quality shrimp fry produced from certified broodstock for use in stocking shrimp farms.

4.1 Shrimp disease prevention and control

The massive increase in shrimp production since the mid-1980s was based upon improvements in cultivation methods that allowed high-density farming. However, increasing the culture density also increased the risk of serious disease outbreaks. A global shrimp survey in 2001 by the Global Aquaculture Alliance (GAA) revealed an overall loss to disease of approximately 22% that year (Flegel, 2006b). A total production of 700 000 MT in 2001 was worth roughly US$8 per kg and translated into an estimated US$1 billion loss in a single year. A very rough estimate for the total loss to disease since 2001 may be in the order of US$6 billion. This gives an idea of the importance of disease control to the shrimp industry.

The GAA survey showed that 60% of the losses could be attributed to viruses and 20% to bacteria (Figure 8). As a result, the majority of the shrimp disease control effort has focused on viral and bacterial pathogens. The development of effective disease prevention programmes has required the development of good diagnostic tools, trained personnel and a better understanding of the pathogens and their hosts.


Figure 8 Relative economic loss to disease caused by various pathogen groups in the 2001 world shrimp industry survey

Source: Flegel (2006b)

The disease problem necessitated the development of proper control measures. These can be subdivided into two broad areas:

1 the development of a secure shrimp seed supply

2 the development of secure cultivation systems.

Biotechnology has played an important role in both of these areas, with the National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC) supporting prevention and treatment research since the early 1990s (Tanticharoen, 1999).

As with other domesticated animals, the best way to provide farmers with a secure stock is to develop domesticated shrimp that are certified to be free of as many major pathogens as possible (Withyachumnarnkul et al., 1998; Khamnamtong et al., 2006). They should also be selected genetically for high growth and survival rates as well as disease resistance. To accomplish these goals, research on the shrimp immune system and shrimp pathogens is being carried out. Many techniques have been developed, particularly for the detection of pathogens by highly sensitive and specific PCR and RT-PCR methods (Wongteerasupaya et al., 1997; Cowley et al., 2004; Flegel, 2006a–b). These have been used to effectively monitor and test seed stocks before pond stocking. They are also useful for monitoring production ponds. Molecular studies to assist the development of fast-growing domesticated, disease-resistant stocks are still in relatively early stages, but tools such as microsatellite markers are already being used for stock identification (Tassanakajon et al., 1998; Supungul et al., 2000).

For secure cultivation systems, molecular diagnostic and detection tools for major pathogens have been critical in supporting the expansion of the world shrimp aquaculture industry. Rapid and sensitive detection allows for timely management decisions that can help control the spread of disease and reduce losses.


Despite current progress on disease control, the shrimp industry still has a number of critical needs that remain to be met. These include the need for the standardisation and extension of diagnostic tests, wider application and improvement of biosecurity, better control over the transboundary movement of live crustaceans for aquaculture, firm evidence of the efficacy of probiotics, full understanding of host-pathogen interactions in shrimp, more epidemiological work and more studies on the molecular ecology of microbes in shrimp ponds and tanks.

Exciting new directions are opening up in shrimp research. These may lead to new, innovative products and methods that may help control shrimp diseases and increase the stability and efficiency of shrimp aquaculture. Among these new directions are farmer-friendly diagnostic methods, probiotics and immunostimulants that can improve production efficiency, quorum-sensing control and phage therapy for bacterial pathogen control, and vaccine-like reagents that can provide specific protection against viral pathogens.

BIOTEC’s active programme to support research and development in shrimp cultivation has helped Thailand play a leading role in shrimp molecular biology and biotechnology (Tanticharoen et al., 2003). As a good example, it helped Thailand limit losses to the white spot virus disease in the 1990s with production losses of only 29% when compared to losses in other countries, which were as high as 80% (e.g., China lost 120 000 tonnes worth US$400 million and Ecuador lost US$350 million). In addition, recovery was faster in Thailand than in some other countries. For example, production has increased only slowly since 1999 in Ecuador, where it is still less than 45% of its maximum in 1988 prior to the white spot virus crisis. That crisis effectively put their production level back 16 years compared to those achieved in 1987 (Briggs et al., 2005).

4.2 Shrimp farm seed supply: the broodstock crisis

One major obstacle that formerly faced the global black tiger shrimp industry was the heavy reliance on wild shrimp broodstock and the lack of clear knowledge on shrimp mating behaviour. Wild starter shrimp are not pathogen-free, are inconsistent in quality and are susceptible to a spectrum of diseases. Ultimately, the poor growth characteristics of fry produced from these shrimp constituted a serious threat to the industry. Warning signs of the depletion of wild broodstock shrimp in Thailand first appeared in 1997. They were captured from the Thai Gulf and the Andaman Sea, and both populations were experiencing a decline in quality and quantity. This was associated with lowered survival rates (from 80%–90% to 50%–60%) and decreased sizes (from 33 shrimp/kg to 70 shrimp/kg) in farmed shrimp (Limsuwan and Charatchkool, 2004).

The resulting increase in production cost lowered Thailand’s competitiveness against other exporters, leading to losses and eventual abandonment of some shrimp farms. BIOTEC’s broodstock domestication and genetic improvement project was started to circumvent these problems. The objectives are to carry out research on domesticated and genetically selected broodstock that are free of a specific list of major pathogens (i.e., Specific Pathogen-Free or SPF stocks). These will improve production efficiency through fast growth and a reduced incidence of disease outbreaks.

In 2002, a sudden and unexplained slow growth occurred countrywide in Thai giant tiger shrimp ponds. Shrimp farmers faced severe losses and the national production dropped from 300 000 tonnes to 260 000 tonnes. To generate enough raw materials to keep the processing industry afloat, the Thai government issued two supportive measures:


1 The import of domesticated SPF P. vannamei broodstock was allowed in 2002 (Briggs et al., 2005). Most of these imported stocks originated from Hawaii, where they had been under development for more than ten years. The stocks were characterised by fast growth and highly uniform sizes, and they could be raised at high density to produce as much as 12 MT to 20 MT per hectare when compared to the 6–8 tonnes per hectare previously produced using P. monodon.

2 The initiation of a P. monodon domestication and breeding programme in Thailand was considered to be critical to help overcome the problems arising from the use of wild shrimp as a source of fry to stock farms. It would also allow for the selection of important traits such as fast growth and disease resistance. To achieve this goal, the government allocated a budget of US$18 million from 2003–2007 for BIOTEC to oversee the development of a domesticated tiger shrimp broodstock programme. At present, the project is in the early stages and the growth of juvenile shrimp obtained from unselected but domesticated broodstock is underway. BIOTEC is collaborating with private nurseries in southern Thailand (Thammashart Farm, Songkhla) and eastern Thailand (Banjong Farm, Chachoengsao) for tests in farmer ponds. The farmers have been satisfied with the preliminary results with an average of 6 tonnes/hectare of 45–50 shrimp/kg and net profits higher than those obtained for whiteleg shrimp (NBPC, 2007).

Producing domesticated broodstock shrimp will not only lower the dependence on captured stocks and reduce disease-related risks, it will also lower the unit price of broodstock a little from as much as US$120 formerly to perhaps US$100. By increasing farm production from an average of 3.6 tonnes/hectare to 5 to 6.2 tonnes/hectare with larger and more uniform sizes, farm costs can be cut by US$30–40 million per year.

5 Establishment of a shrimp cluster group

The Thai shrimp industry has been faced with a declining quality of tiger shrimp broodstock, newly emerging diseases and the necessity of implementing a countrywide traceability system to satisfy new EU regulations, together with food safety protocols defined by each trading partner. In response, all the major industry players agreed that the key strategy should be “retention of competitiveness through overall industry strength” (Institute for Management Education for Thailand Foundation, 2002) and that this could best be achieved by the cooperation and networking of all industry players through a ‘shrimp cluster’ group. The aim of the cluster is to coordinate and integrate all industry activities, including science and technology aspects, to support and improve production and marketing, and to build new opportunities.

Thailand has conducted several studies on the direction of its shrimp industry. One example is the study ‘Competitiveness of Thailand’s black tiger shrimp industry’ conducted by the Institute for Management Education in Thailand Foundation (2002). Another is a study on shrimp cluster promotion conducted by the Board of Investment and the NSTDA (2004). Yet another is the study ‘Competitiveness of Thailand’s black tiger shrimp business’ conducted by the Research Department of Bangkok Bank PLC (2004). All studies recommended that a cooperative cluster was the best approach to drive competitiveness in the industry.


Working under a biotechnological framework policy that prioritises the ‘cluster approach’ (NBPC, 2004), the National Biotechnology Policy Committee (NBPC) has given NSTDA (20 August 2004) the responsibility of spearheading the formation of a shrimp cluster (via BIOTEC) before relegating responsibility of overseeing the established entity to a suitable agency at a later date. The National Shrimp Cluster Board (NSCB) is chaired by Mr. Kosit Panpiemras, the Executive Chairman of Bangkok Bank Ltd. (Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry from October 2006 to January 2008). It is responsible for determining the direction and strategy for increasing industry competitiveness, implementing practical developments and coordinating cooperation between the government and all industry players (i.e., from farmers to exporters). BIOTEC and the Department of Fisheries (DOF) act as joint secretaries for representatives of all relevant government agencies and of all industry players who sit on the board. BIOTEC acts as a granting agency to provide funding for NSCB activities and to assist with programme management. It also supports the establishment, maintenance and coordination of relevant research laboratories and research activities at Thai universities and government agencies. Among the prime technical objectives are support for biotechnological capability that will lead to high quality, premium-size black tiger shrimp and value-added shrimp products (NSCB, 2007).

Figure 9 Shrimp cluster relationship (see online version for colours)

The National Shrimp Cluster Board

BIOTEC

ShrimpGenomics &

GeneticsCU

ShrimpCENTEX

MU

MarineCENTEX

CU

OtherRes.Units(……)

BMCBU

ShrimpRes. Units

PSU

QCWU

NBCBIOTEC

BIOTEC&

DOF

Shrimp Farming

Association

Thai Chamber

of Commerce

ThaiMarine Shrimp

Farmers Association

Thai Shrimp

Association

East Shrimp

Association

Thai Frozen Food

Association

Fresh Water Area

Shrimp Farmers

Association

Shrimp CompetitivenessBiotechnology Capability

BIOTEC &

DOF

BIOTEC &

DOF

Research Network Cluster NetworkShrimp Biotechnology Program

National Biotechnology Policy Committee

shrimp hatchery club

Notes: NBC = Nucleus Breeding Center.

BMC = Broodstock Multiplication Center.

QC = Quarantine Center.

CU = Chulalongkorn University.

MU = Mahidol University.

PSU = Srinakharinwirot University.

BU = Burapha University.


Since the early 1990s, even before NSCB formation, BIOTEC had an active programme to support R&D for the shrimp industry. This programme adopted a research management approach so that supported research activities could be networked in qualitative, meaningful contexts that could effectively result in practical applications. It also resulted in the creation of a new generation of researchers in new laboratories that have acted as centres of excellence in specialised fields related to shrimp research and extension. Thus, the NBPC felt that BIOTEC was in the best strategic position to spearhead the initial stages of NSCB formation and to launch activities on industry competitiveness.

6 Policy lessons and conclusion

6.1 Public policy

Public policy is an important factor supporting success of the Thai shrimp industry. The Thai government has designated shrimp and shrimp products as strategic national products. In general, designated public policy is established based on designate public need or intention to create a suitable environment for industry competitiveness. The first step is launched with a legal framework under the sustainability concept. In order to enhance designated business capability to compete on a global scale, the cluster approach was selected to promote cooperation between public and private sectors. The subsectoral policy was adopted to rapidly fulfil industry needs. For example, in 2002, there was a lack of raw material for designated shrimp exporters due to the disease outbreaks. The short-term policy was to import disease-free P. vannamei broodstock to keep the industry rolling. Last year, the cluster agreed on a new industry initiative to focus on large tiger prawns in order to capture a high-end market, niche with high returns and less competition.

The policy is a flagship for stakeholders. Aside from policy, the government has also announced several measures to create a suitable environment for the industry. There are several international agreements to support shrimp industry. For example, under the Japan-Thailand Economic Partnership Agreement (JTEPA), the tariffs of foodstuffs including fresh, preserved, frozen or boiled shrimp exported to Japan are eliminated. In addition, the Board of Investment offers tax incentives for the whole supply chain of the shrimp industry except farming.

Along with the national policy, the government has formulated some specific policies to deal with emerging problems using advanced technology. For example, it allocated US$18 million from 2003–2007 to develop domesticated black tiger shrimp broodstock and it has supported R&D related to disease diagnosis since the early 1990s. As a result, a Thai company presently produces several diagnostic kits that are sold worldwide for the detection of shrimp viral pathogens.

In conclusion, the Thai government is changing its role to upgrade the shrimp industry. Changing from a role as a strong regulator, it is becoming a facilitator, in helping the industry to create market opportunities and enhance competition through improved R&D capability.


6.2 Sources of impetus and leadership

With 30 years of experience, Thailand has become a shrimp export leader. There are three main factors driving the success of the industry: (1) public-private partnership (2) government support (3) qualified human resources.

6.2.1 Public-private partnership

Public-private partnership is the main factor driving the success of this industry. At present, there is a cooperative network headed by the NSCB that includes representatives from all industry stakeholders including those from the private sector (feed, equipment and fry suppliers, farm service providers, shrimp farmers, frozen storage and processing plants, exporters, etc.) and the government and academic sectors (Ministry of Agriculture including several relevant departments, Ministry of Commerce, research institutions and universities, etc.). The board takes the lead in setting goals, identifying and solving emerging problems and designating key persons for each of its activities.

6.2.2 Government support

The second factor is government support and vision. The Thai Government puts strong emphasis on support for the development of strategic activities that may require long-term and uncertain investment. The development of domesticated broodstock is one example. With over ten years of sturdy support, Thailand is the only country in Asia that has a successful programme to raise domesticated black tiger shrimp broodstock. In addition, there are many shrimp research stations under the DOF (Ministry of Agriculture) that are close to shrimp farms and hatcheries. The main purpose of these stations is to help farmers upgrade production technology continuously and meet local and international health and safety standards.

In addition to this strong support, the government has an overriding vision to build technological capability both in the manufacturing and R&D sectors. Since the launch of the Sixth National Economic and Social Development Plan (1987–1991), Thailand has

Example of public policy

Under the sustainability concept, the Government approved a policy to limit the areaof marine shrimp farming to not exceed 76 000 hectares, and to ban shrimp farmswith fresh water. At the same time, the DOF promotes the use of semi-closed culturesystems that are environmentally friendly. The DOF also provides technical advice tofarmers and has set up a hatchery and farm registration system.

Using the cluster approach, the DOF announced a shrimp and shrimp productsstrategy (2004–2008) to increase black tiger shrimp production from 2% to 7%–10%and to raise income from shrimp exports to more than US$3 billion by 2008.In addition, Thailand’s National Biotechnology Policy Framework includesrecommendations for the National Science and Technology Development Agency(NSTDA) to support the formation and operation of the shrimp cluster, and topromote the development of domesticated black shrimp to supply more than 50% ofthe shrimp industry’s broodstock requirements.


changed from an agricultural country to an agro-industrial country using Science and Technology (S&T). This policy promotes the development of the food industry, which presently includes more than 9400 companies. The shrimp industry is a good example of success in this programme. According to Revealed Comparative Advantage (RCA) which is an indicator of the country’s export potential, Thai processed shrimp is of the highest rank. As a result of high-tech manufacturing processes and qualified human resources, the Thai shrimp industry is able to compete with other countries, such as China and Vietnam, that have lower base production costs. Customers are willing to pay more for reliably higher product quality as a result of superior processing capability.

Moreover, there is a long-term government policy for R&D capability building. For example, during the period of widespread shrimp Yellow Head Virus (YHV) disease outbreaks that severely reduced shrimp production in the early 1990s, NSTDA/BIOTEC supported the development of R&D capability that rapidly helped to reduce losses. Once this capability was up and running, it was quickly applied to solve even more serious production losses that arose later from White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV). As a result, Thailand recovered quickly from the initial WSSV outbreaks and the overall impact in the succeeding years has been much less serious for Thailand than for most other countries where it has spread. The technology developed included rapid diagnostic methods and farm management techniques for disease prevention, which were rapidly implemented via the network of governmental and institutional agencies that worked together with farmers. In a similar manner, there is current support for fundamental shrimp genome research to serve as a base for rapid development of improved shrimp stocks once the shrimp domestication and breeding programme begins to produce genetically improved stocks.

6.2.3 Qualified human resources

According to a Thai national survey, there are more than 800 qualified specialists involved in shrimp and shrimp product research. They have produced over 300 international publications on shrimp. In addition, there are seven universities that provide courses focusing on shrimp. Some of these courses involve cooperation between the university and industry. For example, the Food Engineering Practice School Program at King Mongkut University of Technology in Thonburi requires that students work directly with industry to help solve problems using S&T. After graduation, almost all of the participating students end up being hired by the companies that accepted them as student volunteers. These students and graduates serve as a link that helps the companies upgrade their manufacturing processes through S&T cooperation with academics. Thai Royal Frozen Food is an example of a happy participant in this programme.

6.3 Barriers and obstacles encountered in the development of technology and how they were overcome

The main impediment to technology development is lack of communication among technology developers and users. There is a tendency for shrimp industry participants to avoid involvement with outsiders for fear that ‘company secrets’ may be revealed. By establishing the NSCB and conducting regular meetings to solve common industry problems, familiarity with other participants in the industry (including competitors) helps to break down barriers and improve the flow of information. Student programmes such as


those described above also help to break down these barriers. Working together towards common goals brings good relationships and this promotes the development of better policy planning.

NSTDA/BIOTEC tries to assist in the process by matching research capability and industry needs, thus bringing together the appropriate human and infrastructural resources. Since it is a funding agency, it has the capability to drive basic and applied research on shrimp and promote the speedy implementation of new, advantageous technology.

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the Department of Fisheries, Doctor of Veterinary Surasak Dirakkait, Dr. Panisunn Jammnarwej and Dr. Chalor Limsuwan for their collaboration in this work. We are also indebted to Professor Calestous Juma for his advice and comments.

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Aquacultural biotechnology in Thailand: the case of the shrimp …biotec.or.th/en/images/stories/book-and-pamphlets/2A1FC... · 2020-05-15 · 594 M. Tanticharoen et al. There are

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