Hutton joins multi-million pound effort to transform southeast Asian shrimp farming
The James Hutton Institute has joined a £3 million project which is set to transform shrimp farming in Southeast Asia by developing low-cost, early-warning monitoring systems to improve sustainability in one of the region’s most vital industries.
The three-year project is being led by the University of the West of Scotland (UWS), with support from Can Tho University in Vietnam, Vidyasirimedhi Institute of Science and Technology in Thailand, the University of Strathclyde and the Hutton.
With funding from International Science Partnership Funds (ISPF) and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), leading scientists from each of the organisations hope to arm small-scale shrimp farmers with affordable tools to monitor water quality, detect pathogens, and predict environmental threats in real-time.
Shrimp farming, a major economic driver in Vietnam and Thailand, provides millions of jobs and contributes significantly to global seafood exports. However, disease outbreaks and environmental challenges cost the industry billions of dollars every year. Existing monitoring technologies are often too expensive or complex for small farmers, leaving them vulnerable to sudden losses.
The project will combine the local knowledge of shrimp farmers with expertise in biosensing technology, climate modelling, aquatic health, and artificial intelligence. The team is working on a hand-held sensor that can quickly detect pathogens and harmful nitrogen levels in pond water, alongside an AI-driven prediction tool that uses climate data to forecast disease risks.
Professor Rupert Hough, Head of Information and Computational Sciences at The James Hutton Institute, said: “It’s great to be part of this important and innovative project.
“Shrimp farming is vital to the livelihoods of so many people in southeast Asia and the digital tools we will develop will help support decision making around futureproofing against impacts of climate change.
“The Hutton’s computational and digital expertise will help provide excellent results for this worthwhile collaboration.”
“Shrimp farming is vital to the livelihoods of so many people in southeast Asia and the digital tools we will develop will help support decision making around futureproofing against impacts of climate change.”
Prof Rupert Hough, The James Hutton Institute
The study will also pioneer gender-inclusive approaches to aquaculture, ensuring that both men and women in the industry benefit from training and technology adoption.
While the project focuses on shrimp farming in Vietnam and Thailand, the technology is highly adaptable and could be expanded to other aquaculture systems across Southeast Asia and beyond.
This project’s success could reshape aquaculture practices worldwide, offering a low-cost, high-impact solution to one of the industry’s most pressing challenges.
