Small Scale Aquaculture: A Case Study on Giant Gouramy (Osphronemus gouramy) Culture in Uthai Thani Province, Thailand

Abstract

This study examined pond- and cage-based culture systems of the giant gouramy in Uthai Thani Province, Thailand. The economic analysis was based on interview data collected from 8 dealers and 214 farmers. The analysis showed that giant gouramy culture was characterized by a remarkably long culture period resulting in a high average opportunity cost (57.62 and 83.58% of the total cost, for pond-based and cage-based culture, respectively). Culture of giant gouramy was only profitable when the opportunity cost of labor was excluded. An analysis of economic efficiency showed that five input categories determined the yield from pond-based culture, and that the levels of inputs were not optimal. Water exchange needed to be done more frequently, and the quantity of feed and stocking density should be increased. Likewise, expenditure on antibiotics and the quantity of lime applied to the ponds needed to be increased. For cage-based culture, only four input items had significant effects on yield. While the quantity of artificial feed, vegetable and antibiotics expenses should be increased, the stocking density should be decreased. Most of the results were in accordance with scientific data on soil and water quality parameters and farmer practices. However, increased antibiotics use is not recommended due to food safety concerns, even if it is related to enhanced fish yields.