An Economic Analysis of the Cockle Culture Industry in Thailand
This study provides a comparison of the economic performance and the socio-economic profile of cockle farmers of different farm sizes and locations in Thailand. The areas selected for the study are the northern and southern part of the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea region. Three differen...
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| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English English |
| Published: |
1991
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/8033/1/FEP_1991_6_A.pdf http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/8033/ |
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| Summary: | This study provides a comparison of the economic
performance and the socio-economic profile of cockle farmers
of different farm sizes and locations in Thailand. The areas
selected for the study are the northern and southern part of
the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea region. Three
different f arm sizes, small (1-10 rai), medium (11-50 rai) and large(over 50 rai) farms are studied.
Analysis of the socio-economic profile of the cockle
farmers reveals that most farmers are 30 to 50 years old, and operate their f arms as a family enterprise with their own fund.
Majority of them have had only primary education,but they have very long experiences in cockle culture. Cost and return analysis indicate that cockle culture is
a profit able vocation with the small farms being the most
profit able. In terms of location, farms in the northern part of the Gulf of Thailand are the most profitable. The rate of
return to investment of the larger farm is higher than the
smaller ones.
Estimation on the cost function reveals that cost
economies is at farm production level of 625 mt. But the
average cockle output of the sample farm is 312mt, or only
50 percent of the optimum output.
Based on the findings, it is found that to increase cockle
production from the small and medium size farms is possible
since all of them are at present not yet operated at the
minimum efficient scale of production. The production per unit
area could be increased by reducing the mortality rate and
utilizing more seed in cultivation.
To ensure the constant supply of low cos t of cockle seed
to farmers, the Government would need to enforce all necessary
administrative measures to conserve the natural seed bed and to
negotiate with neighbouring countries such as Malaysia for
additional supply of seeds to farmers. |
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