Challenge of spiny Lobster culture and marketing mechanism of Koh Yao District, Phang-Nga Province

Abstract

Spiny lobster aquaculture in Koh Yao area is being challenged both in terms of price competition and marketable demand slowing down. Studying of factor limited and approaches to develop an efficient and sustainable aquaculture, data of marketing mechanism and limitation of aquaculture are important. Data were collected from 72 spiny lobster farmers by questionnaire survey and key informants by in-depth interview, i.e., head of the village, middlemen, collectors, spiny lobster farmers representative, and related agencies. Statistical analysis was applied for frequency distribution, percentage, mean and Chi-Square test. The results showed that the main problem of spiny lobster farming in the Koh Yao area was the higher selling price than others. The shortage of spiny lobster juvenile and inability to produced juvenile caused requiring of juvenile supply from outside area and resulting in higher cost. The yield price was directly proportional to cost. There was consistent with the results of the study; the relationship between lacking of juvenile and aquaculture system were highly significantly different (P<0.01) and the relationship between the price of juvenile and aquaculture system was also significantly different (P<0.05). The problem solution guideline should be providing and supporting juvenile availability with reasonable prices and good quality to reduce costs and competitive price. However, government agencies should also support juvenile production technology in order to reduce the shortage of juvenile and juvenile cost reduction beside the problem solving by farmer themselves. It was the problems resolution, increasing the potential of spiny lobster aquaculture, generating of income and sustainability in the future.