Economic analysis of bottom line and raft monoline culture of Kappaphycus alvarezii var. tambalang in Western Visayas, Philippines

A survey was conducted among 72 seaweed ( Kappaphycus sp.) farmers in the Western Visayas region, Philippines, from March to July 1990 to assess their culture practices in terms of production and economic efficiency. Yields of 5.8 tons/ha per crop (dry weight) and 7.6 tons/ha per crop (dry weight) were obtained from bottom line and raft monoline methods, respectively. Investment requirement was P27361/ha for bottom line culture, and P56757/ha for raft monoline culture (P25=US$1). The bottom line method was more profitable with net farm income of P33286/ha per crop compared with P26365/ha per crop for the raft monoline method. The bottom line method of culturing seaweed is more cost-efficient compared with the raft monoline method. Production cost averaged P3.32/kg for the former method, and P5.55/kg for the latter method. Return on investment was also higher at 243% for the bottom line method and 93% for raft monoline.