BIOECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF COMMERCIAL POND CULTURING OF THE STRIPED CATFISH Pangasianodon hypophthalmus IN THE MEKONG DELTA, VIETNAM

Abstract

An analysis of costs and returns for striped catfish grow-out pond culturing in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam taking into consideration the factor of geographical location, was conducted. The geographical location not only had an influence on the cost but also the profitability of the enterprise. Multivariate statistical analysis showed a decline in the operating costs and benefits, depending on the location, being highest in middle stream ponds, less in upstream ponds and finally lowest in downstream ponds. However, the earning power of downstream ponds was highest, in terms of profitability associated with fingerlings, feed and energy. Cobb Douglas production function analysis revealed that net revenue earned from increasing the scale of production would increase if feed cost input rose, but whereas net revenue would decrease with an increase of input medication costs. The statistic results also showed that the size of fingerlings from middle stream ponds (1.83 cm high), the stocking density from upstream ponds (47.17 fingerlings/m(2)), and the weight of fish harvested from downstream ponds (0.86 kg/fish) are suitable for farming. Various levels of government could propagate suitable policies and put in place infrastructure to encourage farmers to use electricity for fuel instead of petroleum, to apply Global GAP (global agricultural practices) standards in production activities, to improve the competitive capacity of domestic feed processing companies, to expand fry nursery areas at downstream sites, and to increase fish prices through awareness campaigns designed to increase global demand.