Culture practices and market distribution of mud crab in Santa Teresita, Cagayan, Philippines

Abstract

This research assessed mud crab culture practices and market distribution in Santa Teresita, Cagayan, Philippines- one of the crab culture municipalities in the province. A total of 80 mud crab key stakeholders (grow-out farmers, fatteners, dealers, retailers, and peddlers) were interviewed to gather data. The results showed that most of the mud crab farmers were male (70 %), while traders were dominantly female (97.5 %). Among the 40 mud crab farmers, 82.5 % were involved in grow-out (poly and monoculture), while 17.5 % were involved in fattening. The respondents revealed that the constraints hindering the sustainability of mud crab culture in the area included: intra-species cannibalism, flooding, limited knowledge in crab farming, and inconsistent supply of quality crab seeds. There were 6 different marketing chains identified in the area, involving different stakeholders, with Crab Farmer-Retailer-Consumer being the most common distribution pattern. The results of this research are good input for the development of a municipal mud crab management plan. Highlights Mudcrab culture is one of the economic activities that benefits both men and women in the area Several techniques and strategies in mudcrab culture were employed in the area but still challenged with several constraints Five major actors (i.e. farmers, fatteners, dealers, retailers and peddlers) were identified to have major roles in mudcrab industry in the area Different marketing chains from farmer to consumer were observed in the area