Characteristics, Threats and Challenges of Shrimp Production among Small-Holder and Commercial Penaeus vannamei Shrimp Farmers in Davao Region, Philippines

Shrimp industry in the Philippines plays a vital role in the economy by contributing a total production in the fisheries sector of 60,000 tons of production and 7,000 tons of shrimp exported in overseas markets such as South Korea, Japan, USA and others. This study aimed to describe the various cultural and operational characteristics of a shrimp farm (Penaeus vannamei) in Davao region, and assessed the current risk and challenges experienced by shrimp farmers during the time of pandemic. This study made use of semi-structured questionnaire and focused on shrimp farmers, operators in the provinces of Davao Oriental, Davao del Sur and Davao de Oro as respondents (N=41 farmers). Results showed that small scale shrimp farming averaged 10 tons/ha per cropping; the highly intensive farms yielded 24 tons/ha per cropping. Most operators used generator machines as source of electricity to facilitate aeration accompanied with paddle wheel and blower in some farms; about 2/3 of the commercial shrimp farms used electricity from electric line. In terms of their expenditures, feed inputs have the highest cost (Php 566,700.00 for small-scale farmers, Php 5,572,900.00 for commercial farms) followed by fry (Php 144,800.00 for small-scale farmers, Php 2,080,000.00 for commercial farms) and fuel/electric bill (Php 114,000.00 for small-scale farmers, Php 4,380,000.00 for commercial farms). The average profit per ha of small holder farmers was Php 1,040,000.00. Most farmers mentioned that their shrimps experienced diseases such as white spot syndrome (60%), black gills (35%) and red tail (5%). The farmers point to contamination from water or poor water quality management which caused this disease. The study recommends that farmers should follow good shrimp aquaculture practices including water quality management.