Status, Issues, and Prospects of Good Aquaculture Practices Adoption and Certification of shrimp Aquaculture Farms in Bulacan

Date

5-2018

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness Management

College

College of Economics and Management (CEM)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Nohreen Ethel P. Manipol

Committee Member

Jeanette Angeline B. Madamba, Rachelle A. Mariano, Agnes T. Banzon, Normito R. Zapata, Jr.

Abstract

This research assessed the awareness, perception, and adoption of Good Aquaculture Practices (GAqP) of shrimp farmers in three municipalities of Bulacan, namely: Hagonoy, Paombong, and Calumpit Bulacan which were main areas for shrimp production. The specific objectives of the study were to present the profile of the shrimp farmers and their business, describe the current production practices done, describe the awareness and perception of these farmers on GAqP, assess whether these farmers are adopting the practices on the Philippine National Standard: Code of GAqP, identify issues that hinder the adoption of GAqP, and finally, recommend courses of action based on the findings in the study.

The data on farm production practices of fifty (50) non-randomly sampled shrimp farms in the study area were obtained through in-depth interviews of shrimp farmers with the use of a semi-structured questionnaire and observations of their farming practices. The study used qualitative research methods composed of descriptive statistics including mean, mode, and also frequency counts. Further, secondary data like population size and farm location, among others were collected via key informant interviews from the Municipal Agriculture Office of Bulacan, and employees from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).

The analysis was based on the perception and awareness of the farmers on standardized and sustainable shrimp production practices. Observations by the researcher were also used to verify whether the farm complies with the standard.

The respondent’s age ranged from 28-72 years and mode of 55 years old. More than three fourths were male farmers. Most were married with a little above half reached at least secondary education and had a household size of 4-6 people. Almost two thirds were part of an organization and had 0-10 years of experience in shrimp farming. Micro-scale farms had an average monthly income of Php 6,927. Small and medium scale operators had an average monthly income of Php 36,621 and Php 95,307 respectively. Majority of the sample also joined in organizations and had other sources of income.

Certain culture methods were used by the respondents. Most of them had a semi-intensive farm production and all of the respondents practiced polyculture of different species, most commonly paired with shrimp is milkfish. Forty-one of the respondents had a farms size of 1-5 hectares; more than half the respondents owned the land they operate in.

In terms of complying with the standards, the respondents were asked what they were practicing during one cycle of production. In the interview, the questionnaire used was based on the Code of GAqP which meant that if the respondent does not follow the practice asked, it was noted and summarized in a table.

Results showed that the farmers followed certain standards that were related to the production aspects of shrimp rearing. However, the other aspects considered in the Code of GAqP such as environmental, socio-economic, and animal welfare were not followed. Further, the respondents were asked if they were aware of the GAqP standards and the certification process. Only two had indirectly identified it and the rest have not even heard of the term. When asked about the benefits, drawbacks, and process of certification, all of the respondents did not have any idea or refused to answer these questions. Further, it was determined that almost half of the standards were adopted by the respondents. Certain problems which hindered farmers from adopting and searching certification of GAqP were identified. First was the lack of dissemination of information about GAqP. Next was that there was no demand for certified products in the local market, which could become the driver for adoption. Lastly, government regulations and support were not yet aligned with the standardization of products and processes in the country. With this, certain recommendations were provided for the shrimp enterprises and the support sector. For shrimp enterprises, active participation in seminars and collective farming operations can be done. For the support sector, local government units could promote the knowledge on certification and certified products and also formulate mandatory laws for the standards. For BFAR, it is recommended that they conduct more seminars and give incentives to the farms as well as the consignacions to intensify the implementation, and to focus on certification of cooperative farms and medium to large scale operators.

Language

English

LC Subject

Aquaculture industry, shrimp culture

Location

UPLB College of Economics and Management (CEM)

Call Number

LG 993 2018 M17 D38

Notes

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Document Type

Thesis

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