Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh, is one of the most populous cities in the country. Although the city is landlocked, it is demonstrating a novel business approach by cultivating Scylla mud crabs. To cultivate crabs using this innovative technique, customized containment boxes are used, which eliminates the need for extensive aquatic areas such as ponds and pools.
About 30% of Cambodia’s land area is covered by wetlands, and this area supports one of the largest, most diverse, and most intensive freshwater fisheries in the world. The freshwater and marine resources of Cambodia are generally rich in biodiversity. Due to population growth, climate change, and advancing fishing technology, the consumption of fish and seafood has increased in recent days. Similarly, Phnom Penh is seeing an increase in demand for Scylla mud crabs, another coveted seafood.
Since seafood demand has grown in recent years, aquaculture and culture-based fisheries have been essential to household incomes. Since Phnom Penh is landlocked, there are few opportunities for aquaculture.
Yet the Capital’s Meanchey district has seen a modern mud crab farm pioneered by a young Cambodian engineer with no previous agricultural experience. Odom Tithya, the owner of Phnom Penh Mud Crab Farm, began by using 60 square meters of his family’s backyard as a space for his business.
He describes how he started his business: “Initially, I noticed that local seafood eateries lacked crabs, with shrimp and squid dominating the menu. In response, I came up with the idea of introducing Scylla mud crabs to the market.”
In order to master the technique, he had to overcome numerous problems because Covid-19 had moved teaching online, he explained.
In Tithya’s opinion, the scarcity of such farms contributes to the high demand for his farmed mud crabs.
“The perishable nature of the product makes sourcing it from the local market difficult and expensive. Its future potential, therefore, lies in this business,” he said.
In Tithya’s opinion, he entered the Phnom Penh mud crab industry early on. Although he was a civil engineer, he was fascinated by the prospect of crab farming. Taking advantage of online resources, he gained knowledge from Malaysian and Philippine practices.
According to Tithya, crabs are not raised from an early age, unlike traditional methods. Upon acquiring mature crabs, he stores them in storage-like boxes until sale, notably from Preah Sihanouk and Koh Kong provinces. With this innovative technique, hygiene can be guaranteed and prices can be competitive with those from sea-based farms.
Currently, he is growing 1,000 different types of mud crabs, with prices ranging from 20,000 riel to 120,000 riel per kilogram ($5 to $30). In addition to restaurants and seafood sellers, individuals are the primary clients.
As the business model develops, Tithya anticipates significant profitability.
“Let’s say I have 1,000 boxes in my farm. My sales can reach 300-400kg a day if I sell 500 crabs to a restaurant and replenish the boxes. Several thousands of dollars could be generated by this business at $20 per kg,” he said.
Aquaculture in landlocked cities is not a new concept. Denver, for example, is tackling sustainable seafood in a landlocked city. Punjab’s landlocked Bathinda district is the site of India’s second freshwater aquaculture research center. Moreover, Landlocked Midwest cities of the United States are now home to fish farming. The tiny mountainous landlocked country Lesotho, which is entirely surrounded by South Africa, became famous for its fishing industry.
It is, however, a relatively new concept in landlocked Phnom Penh to raise Scylla mud crabs. Nonetheless, it has a long future ahead of it.
In addition to shrimp and squid, Tithya plans to expand the business to more shops in Phnom Penh. Furthermore, due to its modest time requirements, it is suitable for those seeking part-time work or enhancing their skills.
Jaber Bin Abdul Bari
Department of Oceanography, NSTU
