**Abstract**

Infrastructure facilities play important roles in any aquaculture business. This study is to assess the significance of infrastructure facilities in the suitability of site for giant freshwater prawn farming in Negeri, Malaysia. Some of the infrastructure facilities that determine the suitability of a location for prawn farming include road, electricity, market, and availability of hatcheries. Infrastructure facilities data were collected from various institutions for the analysis. Geographic information system (GIS) was used to determine the appropriate area for prawn farming. The result shows that 496,198.75 ha was most suitable, 105,414.82 ha was moderately suitable, and 63,733.73 ha was regarded not suitable. It was further revealed by the study that the infrastructure facilities of the study area have great potential for prawn farming, but the sources of fry serve as a limiting factor. It is recommended that more infrastructural facilities such hatcheries, rural road construction, and electric power supply could be established to facilitate prawn farming in the study area.

**Keywords:** aquaculture, analytic hierarchy process, giant freshwater prawn, infrastructure facilities

## **1. Introduction**

A successful development of any aquaculture activity and freshwater prawn production in particular does not only require a suitable natural environment and technical method but also adequate and appropriate infrastructure facilities. Significant infrastructure facilities needed may include good and adequate road network system, market, electricity supply, and fry sources or hatchery [1].

Infrastructure facilities influence the production of prawn and need to be taken into consideration in fostering and planning for farming it. Even though the environmental and biological conditions are favourable for the production of prawn, it may fail if the infrastructure facilities are not favourable [2]. Thus, the infrastructure improvement of prawn farming in the area is a major objective for developing and sustaining prawn farming. However, there was limited study in the Negeri Sembilan area on the significance of infrastructure facilities for the suitability of site for prawn farming. The aim of this study is to assess the significance of infrastructure facilities in the suitability of site for giant freshwater prawn farming in Negeri.
