Status, Problems and Prospects of Tilapia Hatchery Farms in Bay, Laguna

Date

5-2018

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness Management

College

College of Economics and Management (CEM)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Normito R. Zapata, Jr.

Committee Member

Hanna D. Miranda, Dia Noelle Velasco, Loida E. Mojica, Normito R. Zapata, Jr.

Abstract

Tilapia hatchery farm is a type of business that is into culturing of tilapia. This business focuses on the management of broodstock, hatchery and nursery. The study entitled “Status, Problems and Prospects of Tilapia hatchery farms in Bay, Laguna” was conducted to 1) present the profile of the tilapia hatchery farm owners/operators in Bay, Laguna; 2) describe the performance of tilapia hatchery farms in terms of their operations, marketing, personnel and financial functions; 3) discuss problems encountered by the hatchery farm operators and actions used to address the problems; 4) analyze the key success factors of the businesses; and 5) recommend possible solutions to improve the current business operation of the farms.

The farm operators who were interviewed are operating in small, medium and large-scale. Based on the total area of operated ponds, most of these operators are small-scale producers. Majority of the fishponds are located in Sitio Kabaritan, followed by Ibaba and Sitio Ilaya Sto. Domingo Bay, Laguna. Most of the hatchery farm operators are males as this type of farming would require male labor force.

The farms in Bay, Laguna are practicing relatively the same strategies that were recommended by different research institutions with regards to the management of the business. This study had observed that most of the farms in Bay, Laguna had been practicing a continuous cycle in their operation with one cycle lasting for one month.

The respondents practice grading of fingerlings by using different mesh sizes of nets. The available sizes of fingerlings in Bay, Laguna are size #24, #22, #17, #14. Marketing is done directly by the farm owners or through middlemen.

The financial aspect of the farms shows that the cost of operation varies depending on the scale or size of the farm. On the average, the small-scale farms has a monthly net income of ₱ 6,634.42 while ₱19,045.65 and ₱40,641.66 for the medium-scale and large-scale respectively.

This study also presented different problems that were encountered by the hatcheries in everyday business operation. The farms had been experiencing unidentified disease of their breeders; poor water quality and quantity; presence of pests and over flowing of ponds during rainy season. The financial had also contributed to the challenge that tilapia hatchery businesses are facing because of the high costs needed for the operation

In marketing, the farmers had experienced problems and conflicts with regards to pricing of the farms’ produce and presence of competitors.

There had been minimal problems when it comes to the human resource management of the farms since there are relatively low specification when it comes to hiring of laborers.

The strategies or key success factors in the business are: maintenance of good relationship with the customers; networking and membership in an organization; following recommended practices by relevant institution; access to resources; and favorable climate.

Despite of the identified problems, the tilapia hatchery farms in Bay, Laguna is still at its stable condition which is reflected in their increasing level of production, due to the increased number of ponds operated. The proper knowledge and experience of the farm operators in the managing the business had contributed to the stability of the farms.

The industry has good prospects. It was identified that the present development in the strains of tilapia could be a solution for the problems in the environmental requirements of the fishes. Also, other products that could be derived from tilapia serves as an advantage for the industry.

To address the problems mentioned earlier, it is recommended that the farm operators must introduce new and improved stocks of female and male breeders, monitor supply and demand of tilapia fingerlings, develop marketing cooperative and continue the proposed farm operator institution. Moreover, government agencies and research institutions should provide support for the industry in terms of technological development, and financing such as loans or microfinancing.

Language

English

LC Subject

Tilapia, Hatchery fishes

Location

UPLB College of Economics and Management (CEM)

Call Number

LG 993 2018 M17 D43

Notes

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Document Type

Thesis

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