Over 90% of the Thai’s shrimp exports are cultured, 85% of which are produced by intensive farming and 15% by extensive or semi/semi intensive farming. Extensive and semi-intensive farms pertain to those which totally or partially rely on naturally occurring food organisms in ponds. Occasionally, this type may require addition of small amount of feeds and fertilizers to stimulate the food chain.
It’s yield normally ranges from 100-300 kg/ha/yr. for the extensive and 600-1,800kg/ha/yr. for the semi-intensive. Intensive farms, on the other hand, depend solely on commercial diets for most of their nutrient requirement and production yield normally exceeds 6,000 kg/ha/yr. (Table4).