Developing a self-sufficient Philippine milkfish industry through value chain analysis

Abstract

The Philippine milkfish industry has been dependent on the importation of juveniles for grow-out ever since the decline of wild fry catch and with inadequate supply from local hatcheries. However, self-sufficiency is required to address recent global uncertainties. Value chain analysis of the upstream stages of the milkfish aquaculture pathway reveals options for efficient utilization of coastal aquaculture resources, capital investments and workforce. This paper presents a value chain that starts in an integrated breeding and hatchery (IBH) facility that will produce the required juveniles to yield 7.7 thousand mt milkfish valued at PHP 692 million per year (1 USD = 50 PHP). The number of IBH needed annually were determined, such that the country should have 60 IBH in 2030 to produce 448 thousand mt milkfish worth PHP 61 billion for its 128 million projected population. Economic analysis showed that public-private partnership should fund high-investment but low-profit IBH, while private investors should operate profit-earning hatcheries, nurseries and 4-cage mariculture system to secure the milkfish industry.