Biosecurity Measures: Improving freshwater prawn production

A project titled “Improving Freshwater Prawn Production through the Implementation of Biosecurity Measures in Hatchery and Grow-Out Farming” was launched in Nay Pyi Taw on Friday.

The project is funded by the Mekong–Lancang Cooperation Special Fund (2025). Union Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation U Min Naung attended the event, and made a speech, saying that the project aims to expand freshwater and marine prawn farming, strengthen cooperation between government and private sectors, and prevent prawn diseases through regional and international collaboration. He noted that Myanmar has over 113,000 acres of prawn farming areas, including more than 5,000 acres of freshwater prawn farms in Yangon and Ayeyawady Regions.

He said that weak biosecurity has caused disease outbreaks and reduced hatchery productivity, with White Spot Disease and White Tail Disease posing major challenges. The Union Minister stressed the need for mandatory disease testing, stronger monitoring systems, and closer cooperation between government and private operators to ensure healthy production and long-term development of the prawn farming sector.

Officials from the Fisheries Department later explained the project plan, followed by a workshop where industry representatives shared suggestions. Deputy Minister Dr Aung Gyi reviewed and discussed the proposals.