Socio-economic impacts of adoption of brackishwater tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) culture by pond farmers in Aceh province, Indonesia

Hasanuddin*, Muslim, Joanne Millar and Michael A. Rimmer
Brackishwater Aquaculture Development Centre Ujung Batee
PO Box 46 Banda Aceh
Aceh, Indonesia  
hasanuddin_79@yahoo.co.id

Aceh province in Indonesia has an estimated 72,000 ha of brackishwater ponds which produce shrimp (mainly black tiger shrimp Penaeus monodon) and milkfish (Chanos chanos) using traditional extensive techniques.  However, shrimp production has decreased due to the impacts of widespread white spot syndrome disease (WSSD) and milkfish culture is subject to unstable prices.  A research and development project funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) found that, while brackishwater tilapia production showed economic viability as an alternative to shrimp culture in coastal ponds, adoption by Acehnese farmers was constrained by limited availability of tilapia seedstock.

In response, farmer-managed tilapia seedstock production centres ('nurseries') were established at sites throughout Aceh.  Production and sales of tilapia fingerlings were recorded by the nurseries, and the purchasers were interviewed by project staff to assess the farmers' responses to brackishwater tilapia culture.  A structured questionnaire was used to interview a total of 55 farmers from 6 districts in 2 years (2013 and 2014).

The survey showed that the tilapia nurseries were successfully supplying local demand for tilapia fingerlings.  In some cases, numbers of fingerlings were purchased by brokers for resale in adjacent districts.  Most farmers reported a production cycle of 3-4 months, harvesting at a size of 6-7 fish per kg, and productivity of 200-500 kg per ha using extensive techniques.  Many farmers (82%) used tilapia in polyculture with shrimp; the remaining 18% used a monoculture system.  Farm gate prices ranged from IDR 13,000 to 25,000 per kg, with a mode of IDR 17,000 per kg.  Cultured tilapia were also consumed by 92% of tilapia farmer households, contributing to improved nutrition in coastal farming communities.

Advantages to culturing tilapia in brackishwater ponds include: profitability (compared with other cropping options), ease of culture (using extensive culture methods), and rapid growth (faster than milkfish).  The main constraints to tilapia production were identified as: predators, and high salinity during the dry season.  It was noted that some farmers were alternately culturing shrimp during the dry season, and tilapia during the rainy season when shrimp disease outbreaks are more common.