An integrated semi-intensive shrimp and livestock system in the Philippines

Abstract

The development of a shrimp (<i>Penaeus monodon</i>) production system integrated with livestock was undertaken at the Sycip Plantation Inc., Negros Oriental, Philippines, as a result of crop diversification efforts in the province. Heavy organic manuring of brackishwater shrimp ponds strongly stimulated the production of <i>lablab</i> in the initial stages of pond preparation. Observations suggest that the problem of deteriorating water quality in the later stage of culture due to prawn burrowing/feeding activities, was exacerbated by constant addition of manures. Plankton analysis of pond water indicated that this was a result of excessive nanno- and picoplankton blooms. A highly significant correlation (P < .001) between plankton (cell size < 5 microns) count and BOD was obtained. An alternative system using "kitchen ponds" stocked with artemia provided a suitable source of food for shrimp growth. Daily additions of manure (100 kg dry weight/ha/day) produced an average 40 kg of mixed artemia and <i>lablab</i> protein each day during a three-month study period. Analysis of input:output ratios for the kitchen pond showed a net loss in organic matter and net gain in nitrogen yields during the conditioning period. Conditioned ponds had a net gain in both organic matter and nitrogen yields. An area ratio of 1:5 for kitchen pond to shrimp grow-out enabled production at 700-1,000 kg/ha/crop at 30,000 pieces/ha stocking density, 60-70% survival and grow-out period of 120 days. Significant reductions in feeding costs were obtained.