Pakistan’s Aquaculture Sector Advances with Launch of PakRos All-Male Prawn Hatchery
Gharo – Pakistan’s aquaculture sector marked a significant milestone as the Giant Freshwater Prawn Farmers’ Day & Technical Roadshow, themed “Unlocking Pakistan’s Aquaculture Export Potential through High-Value Species,” was successfully held at Pak Gharo Agri & Livestock Farms (PGA&LF) in Gharo in collaboration with the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) under the leadership of Director General Mr. Athar Khokhar. The event spotlighted new strategies to enhance fisheries exports, promote high-value aquaculture, and strengthen Pakistan’s competitiveness in global seafood markets.
A major highlight of the event was the introduction of PakRos, Pakistan’s first all-male Giant Freshwater Prawn (Scampi) hatchery, representing a breakthrough in the country’s aquaculture development. The hatchery introduces advanced all-male production technology aimed at achieving faster growth rates, better size uniformity, and higher yields, significantly improving farm profitability and export potential. Industry experts noted that adopting innovative hatchery systems and modern aquaculture practices could position Pakistan as a reliable supplier of premium freshwater prawns in international markets.
Pakistan’s fisheries exports currently stand at approximately USD 450 million annually. Speakers emphasized that with structured development, improved value-chain integration, and wider adoption of advanced production technology, Giant Freshwater Prawn farming alone could contribute an additional USD 1 billion in export revenue, providing a major boost to foreign exchange earnings and rural economic growth.
Mr. Arshad Aziz, CEO of PGA&LF, welcomed participants and highlighted the importance of diversifying into high-value aquaculture species such as Scampi to expand Pakistan’s seafood export portfolio. The technical session was conducted by Mr. R.S.N. Janjua, Director Aquaculture at SoyPak, while Mr. Giva Kuppusamy delivered a comprehensive presentation on international best practices in all-male prawn production, commercial viability, and farm management techniques.
The event was attended by prominent officials and stakeholders including Lt. Col. Shahnawaz Kiyani (Retd), Director Operations, GCLI/SIFC; Mudassar, Senior Director, State Bank of Pakistan (SBP); Dr. Mansoor Ali Wassan, Director General, Marine Fisheries Department, Federal Ministry of Maritime Affairs; Dr. Mubarak Ahmed, Senior Consultant (Agri Foods), TDAP; Dr Asim Karim, Director General, Marine Fisheries & Coastal Development, Sindh Fisheries Department; Mian Saeed, Senior Vice Chairman, Pakistan Fisheries Exporters Association; Dr. Samina Kidwai (Ex-DG, NIO), Bahria University; Dr. M. Wasim Khan (Ex-DG, MFD); Asif Rasheed, Technical Director, PakRos; and Dr. Ali Mastoi, Additional Secretary (Technical), Sindh Fisheries Department. Leading fisheries processors and exporters also participated, reflecting strong private-sector interest in scaling up export-oriented prawn farming.
Participants were given a guided tour of the under-construction PakRos hatchery site, where they observed infrastructure development and received detailed briefings on hatchery design, seed production capacity, and operational planning. Farmers demonstrated strong interest in adopting Giant Freshwater Prawn farming, engaging in discussions about feasibility, production cycles, input requirements, and profitability, signaling growing confidence in the commercial potential of Scampi cultivation.
Read More: Pakistan Plans Seafood Export Zone in Karachi’s Korangi
The roadshow reinforced the importance of public-private collaboration, financial facilitation, technology transfer, and export market linkages in expanding Pakistan’s aquaculture sector. With the launch of PakRos and coordinated support from government institutions, financial partners, exporters, academia, and farmers, Pakistan is well positioned to build on its USD 450 million fisheries export base and unlock the projected USD 1 billion potential through large-scale Giant Freshwater Prawn production.
