Cost And Return Study Affecting Yeast Supplement (Saccharomyces Cerevisiae) Purchase Decision Under Transportation Stress Of Tilapia From Among Farmers Who Raised Tilapia In Maharakham Province

Abstract

The study investigated costs and returns affecting the decision to purchase Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast supplements under the stress of tilapia during transportation among farmers in Mahasarakham. Data were collected through interviews with 150 tilapia farmers in Mahasarakham and secondary sources to calculate tilapia farming costs.

                        Most farmers raised tilapia in 3x3x3-meter earthen ponds. The density rate was three fish/sq.m., a survival rate 70 percent, and average yield 1,775 kg/rai. The average sale price was 55 baht/kg, the average farming time was five months, the costs ranged from 54.92 to 49.41 baht/kg. The variable costs ranged from 94.60 to 93.43 percent and fixed costs 5.40 to 6.57 percent. The average returns ranged from 3.08 to 5.59 baht/kg.

                        This study revealed that S. cerevisiae yeast supplement of 20 g/kg had the highest survival rate. This experiment proved that yeast supplements of 20 g/kg contributed to the highest survival rate. The findings can help farmers make the decision to purchase Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast supplements to improve tilapia health under stress from transportation and assess the costs and returns because economic production costs are defined differently from general costs or accounting costs.