Market Study for the Biotech-UPLB Microbial Larvicide Pelmictrol

Date

4-2011

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness Management

College

College of Economics and Management (CEM)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Dinah Pura T. Depositario

Committee Member

Nanette A. Aquino, Laida J. Abarquez, Normito R. Zapata, Jr. Reynaldo L. Tan

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For non-UP researchers, requests for access to this material may be directed to the CEM Library at cemlibrary.uplb@up.edu.ph or to the UKDR administrator at uscs-mainlib.uplb@up.edu.ph

Abstract

The study was conducted to explore the market potential of the BIOTECH-UPLB microbial larvicide Pelmictrol among pest control operating businesses, household pesticide dealers and local government units in the province of Laguna. Specifically, it is aimed to provide an overview of the Pelmictrol technology, profile the potential buyers of the product and describe their awareness, perceptions and considerations in buying and using chemicals especially larvicides.

Pelmictrol is a product of BIOTECH-UPLB with Dr. Leodegario E. Padua as the technology developer. The product is a microbial insecticide that kills the mosquito at its larval stage. It has the microorganism Bacillus thuringiensis ssp. morrisoni as the active ingredient. It is not chemical based, thus, it poses no threat to the environment. The technology has the most promising features in addressing the problems of mosquito- borne diseases in the country without compromising environmental safety. However, before the product can be fully commercialized, potential markets must be identified and analyzed.

Market surveys along with key informant interviews were done in Laguna where the pest control operators (PCOs), household pesticide dealers and local government units (LGUs) are located. The data gathered were analyzed using descriptive research methods such as frequencies, averages or means, and content analysis of qualitative responses.

Of the pest control businesses surveyed, majority (93%) are sole proprietors, meaning that most decision makings regarding the business are made by the owners themselves. Many of them are young in the business with the years of operation raging from 2 to 5 years. Majority of their clients are households and they offer both general pest control (GPC) and structural pest control (SPC) services, with the latter as the main line of business. All of the chemicals they use are from exclusive distributors licensed by the FPA. All household chemical dealers interviewed were sole proprietors. Most of them are retailers of chemicals and a few were engaged in both retailing and wholesaling. They do not sell household pesticides exclusively. They were engaged in the dealership of fertilizers, agricultural pesticides, agricultural tools and equipments. This means that they cater to many groups of customers, aside from PCOs and other chemical dealers.

Based on the survey conducted, Pesguard, Fendona and Resigen are among the top brands of chemicals that PCOs use for GPC. These chemicals are not target specific because they are used in treating all flying and crawling insect pests. Aside from the wide range of pests that the chemical can kill, among the top considerations in selecting chemicals include efficacy, cost and safety. Some other considerations include: fast killing effect, long residual effect and with low odor. Fifty percent (50%) of the total PCO respondents have larviciding services. Among the top four brands of larvicides that PCOs use are: Rapture, Abate, Mosquiron and Sumilarv. These are chemicals with different product forms, modes of action, application rates and application frequencies. They were compared to the subject product by deriving the cost of treating a given area. It was computed that if a hectare of infected area will be treated for one month, P8,000 will be incurred and if 1,000L of water will be treated for a month, P4,000 will be acquired. Both computed costs were significantly higher than those computed from the four other brands which may be attributed to the difference in nature of the products being compared.

More than half of the total respondents were not aware of microbial larvicides. For those who were aware, sources of information include their own educational background, symposia, other chemical companies and some clients who happen to look for such products. After the product was described to the respondents, majority of them said that the product will be of use to their current business and that pellets are a more favorable product form. Also, majority of the respondents said that the current selling price of the product is reasonable. However, some disadvantages of using the product were cited including: the organic nature, product form, safety issues, application rates, limited target species, client awareness, product registration, availability and accessibility. All dealer respondents were aware of larvicides but only a few sell it. All of them are willing to sell the product because it is environmentally safe, easy to use, Filipino made, and it is a potential solution to vector-borne diseases. The product‘s selling price was perceived to be reasonable but as a precondition to carry the product, the dealers must be assisted in marketing the products through the provision of materials such as fliers and brochures.

The study also highlights the perception of the local government towards the product. It was found out that along with clean-up drives, campaigns and fogging in case of an outbreak, larviciding is a part of the LGU‘s program. The local government offers an area for the use of the product since the main feature of their anti-dengue program is source reduction. No further requirements must be satisfied by the product as long as it is registered, proven safe and effective.

With all the results of the study, it was recommended that the primary focus of the product should be the LGUs and the distribution through dealers in the area. It was concluded that the PCO business market is a potential market but will only use larviciding as a supplementary service to their GPC services. This means that this market is only a minor market as compared to the LGU market. The local government units have the capacity, budget and the program to launch a community-wide treatment. However, there are also risks in engaging business at this level such as drastic price increase in the product and too much bureaucracy. The distribution of the product through the dealers, on the other hand, will aid the establishment of the product in the market. Aside from the fact that dealers are distribution outlets to other locations, they also have the access to different groups of potential clients such as farmers, households and institutional buyers, among others.

It was recommended that further studies should be conducted to improve the features of the product. This includes the range of pests that it can treat, efficacy on the pupal stage, other product forms such as liquid and tablet forms, and the stability and consistency of the product because of its organic nature. It was also recommended to pursue the product registration on FDA to ease the marketing of the product. Application of a new patent is also recommended to protect rights of the technology developer and the university. The technology developer, Dr. Leodegario Padua should train and tech students who will improve and continue the technology that he started.

Language

English

LC Subject

Pests--Control, Market surveys

Location

UPLB College of Economics and Management (CEM)

Call Number

LG 993 2011 M17 A56

Notes

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Document Type

Thesis

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