The socio economic challenge to improve the productivity of brackish water aquaculture business in Aceh Tamiang Regency

Abstract

There were 3,624.5 hectares of the brackish water pond in Aceh Tamiang, which can support the national shrimp export program. The problems arise due to the pond ownership matter, the source of financing, the technology used, and the institutionalization action to improve productivity. The purpose of this research is to improve brackish water pond productivity based on socio-economic aspects in the location. The survey to achieve these aims conducted from April - May 2021, in eight villages in Aceh Tamiang. Data and information were interviewed from 160 pond farmers. Simple statistics and descriptive techniques were used to analyse the data. The main findings are: 91.1 % of the traditional brackish water farmers depend on commercial seed and feed; the productivity of the brackish water pond is between 1.2 tonnes/hectares/year - 2.4 tonnes/hectares/year; the average pond ownership is between 1.1 and 3.4 hectares/farmer; 60% - 94,1% of financial funding to run business depends on their source and the rest from investor or trader. This research recommends: the brackish water farmers in all villages should be organized in one “corporate business” to improve productivity. This institution is owned by farmers based on money stock and managed by professionals.