Abstract:
This thesis aims to study induced spawning of Pangasius sutchi and related nursery operations, the cost and return on investment of Pangasius sutchi in earthen nursery pond operations, and problems encountered. Fifteen farms in Nakornsawan were sampled in 1985. Primary data were obtained from the farms, other data were collected from literature. The study revealed that nursery season was from April to December. Nursery operations start with the purchase of fry, the nursing to these sizes comes to 20, 30, 40 and 50 days respectively. On the average, the cost of production of various sizes as mentioned above are16,130.29, 17,812.30, 19,663.92 and 21,268.45 Baht/crop/rai respectively or 10.085, 11.134, 12.292 and 13.111 Baht/m2 respectively or 10.676, 15.000, 18.001 and 20.280 Baht/100 units respectively or 10.676, 15.000, 18.001 and 20.280 Baht/100 units respectively. The fish seed was the main operational cost, while the feed cost was secondary. The average capital investment of nursery operations of 1 and/or 2 inches was 114,770 Baht/farm, and 115,270 Baht/farm for nursery operations of 3 and/or 4 inches, and 116,270 Baht/farm for nursery operations of all sizes. On the average, the rate of return on investment in sizes 1, 2, 3 and 4 inches were 0.61, 11.59, 20.98 and 17.06 percent/rai/year respectively. Thus, the fish fingerlings at 3 inches yielded the highest rate of return on investment. Breakeven point in sales units of various sizes as mentioned above are 82,725, 26,542, 13,095 and 9,739 units/crop/rai respectively or 10,271.75, 5,300.69, 3,934.43 and 3,901.16 Baht/crop/rai respectively. The major problems encountered were weather conditions, feed, lack of farming experience, predators, fish diseases, flooding and lack of capital which directly affect the farmers, To resolve these problems, the fish farmers should try to establish fish farmers cooperatives in order to share technical experience and increase bargaining power The government should conduct research on appropriate artificial feeds that can substitute moina and trash fish, the government should also extend credit to the fish farming industry and should assist the private sector by providing technical advice, know-how and other incentives in order to increase the success of nursery operations.