Productivity, profitability and efficiency of tilapia production systems in Bicol Region

Productivity, profitability and efficiency of tilapia production systems in Bicol region were evaluated using the farm level data from 375 fish farmers engaged in tilapia culture in hatchery, fishpond, and fish cage systems. These fish farmers represented the different provinces of the region. Amount of capital investment per square meter per cropping of operation was computed at PhP32.67 for hatchery, PhP88.65 for fishpond and PhP25.60 for fish cage farming. Net profit per cropping was PhP7.93/m2 and PhP20.97/m3 for hatchery and fish cage, respectively. Grow-out pond system was found to generate a net profit of 3.91/m2. Fish cage system realized the highest return above variable cost of PhP42.48/m3. This was followed by the hatchery system with PhP35.31/m2 while fishpond system acquired PhP13.53/m2. Calculated ROI values were 15.10 percent and 50.25 percent for hatchery system and cage system, respectively. Fishpond system obtained a 3.54 percent ROI. Analysis of the production efficiency using Cobb-Douglas production function model showed that amount of feeds, size of farm, stocking density and feeds significantly affected yield. This result indicated that the inputs were not utilized by the farmers at their profit-maximizing levels. Efficiency would be achieved if change in the inputs is based on its computed marginal productivity. The among of feeds for hatchery should be increased from its current level of 0.12 kg/m2 to its optimum level of 2.45 kg/m2. In the fishpond system, the size of farm should be reduced although its optimum rate could not be calculated due to its negative marginal productivity. Also, stocking density should be increased from the current level of 6.0 pcs/km2 to 8.39 pcs/m2 and amount of feeds from 1.6 kg/m2 to 4.84 kg/m2. In the fish cage system, stocking density should be increased from 16 pcs/m3 to 17 pcs/m3. Therefore, farmers should always consider the level of material inputs used to attain production efficiency. Problems relative to the operation of the different culture systems should be properly addressed to attain the highest yield.