Status, Problems and Prospects of Fish Pond Enterprises in Paombong, Bulacan

Date

12-2016

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness Management

College

College of Economics and Management (CEM)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Nimfa Beatris D. Montes

Committee Member

Mar B. Cruz, Nanette A. Aquino, Agnes T. Banzon, Dinah Pura T. Depositario

Abstract

The study entitled Status, Problems, and Prospects of Fish Pond Enterprises in Paombong, Bulacan aimed to describe the status, issues, and future directions of the enterprises in the municipality. Specifically, the study intended to: 1) present the profile of fish pond operators and the enterprise; 2) analyze the status of fish pond enterprises in terms of the different business functions as well as the external environment; 3) analyze problems being experienced by fish pond enterprises; 4) assess the prospects and/or investment opportunities for fish pond operators; and 5) formulate recommendations for the improvement and sustainability of fish pond enterprises in Paombong, Bulacan.

Descriptive study design was used by the researcher in assessing the operations of the fish pond enterprises in Paombong. The study consisted of 82 respondents. The sample size was computed using the sample size formula. Methods of collection included survey questionnaires from personal interviews, key informant interviews, and actual observations. The tools of analysis used include SWOT analysis, descriptive statistics, and cost and return analysis.

The study focused on MSMEs since all the operators that were able to be interviewed by the researcher fell under the categories. Most of the respondents were found to have a small enterprise. The average farm size of the respondents was 2.21 hectares. Majority of the total respondents are lessees. They were paying annual lease to the respective owners. The one who own the land pay land tax annually. Almost all of the respondents said that their initial capital came from their personal savings. Two of them inherited the business from their parents and another two loaned some money from their relatives. The age of the respondents ranged from 23 to 79 years old and their average age was 50. Only two respondents were female and only four, single. The number of dependents of the married operators ranged from 1 to 10 and the age of their children, from 1 to 53 years old.

SWOT analysis was done to evaluate the internal and external factors affecting the enterprises. The key strengths of the enterprise include: 1) assured market place; 2) proximity to market; 3) easy access to inputs; 4) accessibility to water source; 5) profitable enterprises; 6) low production cost; 7) products being commodity goods; and 8) low degree of physical labor. On the other hand, the key weaknesses include: 1) lack of management information system; 2) lack of initiative in attending seminars and trainings; and 3) inconsistent quality of products. The key opportunities identified were: 1) increasing population and demand; 2) the development of technologies; and 3) low entry barriers to entering processing. The key threats were: 1) water pollution; 2) the frequency of natural calamities; 3) the proliferation of predators, competition from marine fishing; and 4) the continuous siltation of rivers.

The problems identified in relation to the production aspect include: 1) natural calamities; 2) poaching; 3) water pollution; and 4) proliferation of predators. In the personnel aspect, the problem was the lack of basic managerial skills and training. Meanwhile, lack of financial records was the problem identified in the financial aspect while lack of extension services and increase in prices of inputs were the problem related to government support.

Prospects for the fish pond enterprises include the increasing population of Filipinos and the increase in demand for aquatic products which presents opportunities for operators to continuously operate the business and for other people to start their own enterprise. Another prospect is the opportunity to focus in converting the whole agricultural land of Paombong for fish pond operations as it can lead to the centralization of the extension services and programs of the local government to the enterprises. Fish pond operators should also consider acquiring more land that can be converted to pond as soon as possible so that the price will be cheaper compared to what it will be in the future. Lastly, operators must explore and make use of the different technologies being introduced by different institutions for the improvement of their output.

The formulated recommendations for the operators include: 1) fencing of fish pond perimeters to drive away poachers and avoid transfer of species during flooding; 2) the use of pesticides and pond cover to eliminate predators; 3) the control of water gates to avoid pollution; 4) joining a fish pond association to properly receive extension services; 5) expansion of ponds to maximize the opportunities; 6) attending skills enhancement program to better manage the enterprise; and 7) the formulation with an excellent quality control program to minimize mortality of species.

Language

English

LC Subject

Fish ponds, Business enterprises

Location

UPLB College of Economics and Management (CEM)

Call Number

LG 993 2016 M17 V47

Notes

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Document Type

Thesis

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