Application for Aquaculture CRSP San Antonio Pre-conference Awards

ACRSP Annual Meeting February 25-26 and WAS February 26-March 2, 2007

This award is open to all individuals who will be presenting research historically or currently funded by the Aquaculture CRSP. It is open to those students, researchers, producers, and others who are principal authors of an accepted WAS presentation regarding CRSP research.

All applications should be returned to Kevin Fitzsimmons at by end of day October 31, 2006. Evaluations will be completed and awardees notified by December 1, 2006. Criteria to be used will be 1) scientific quality, 2) financial need and 3) regional representation. In an effort to simplify the application, please complete the four sections below.

1. Applicant Information

Name: Stephen Amisah

Highest degree: PhD

Current title: Dean & Head of Department

Institution: Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology, Ghana:

Mailing Address:

Department of Fisheries and Watershed Management, Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources, KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana

West Africa

Email:

Telephone: 00 233 27 7402633 (Mobile)

00 233 51 62110 (Home)

00 233 51 60375 (Office)

2. Past/Present role as an Aquaculture CRSP participant:

Host Country PI, Ghana

3. Attach an electronic copy of your presentation abstract or insert below (follow instructions for ‘a’ or ‘b’ but not both).

a) If your presentation has already been accepted by WAS, please provide the title and session below. Please attach a copy of your submitted abstract as part of your completed application.

Title: A comparison of enterprise profitability among Ghanaian fish farmers

Session: Tilapia (Economics)

Abstract:

Tilapia Farming: A comparison of enterprise profitability among Ghanaian fish farmers

Amisah, S., Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology, Kumasi, Ghana

K. Sualih, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology, Kumasi, Ghana

Quagrainie, K.,University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Arkansas, USA

Efficient management of a tilapia farm can make the difference between profits and losses even in years with unfavorable prices and costs. Farm management involves more than just taking care of the biological processes involved; it includes paying close attention to economic and financial measures of the farm business also. A comparison is made of economic and financial indicators of 10 fish farmers each in the Brong-Ahafo and Ashanti regions of Ghana, analyzing the performance of the tilapia farm businesses.

A survey was conducted to assess the profitability of tilapia farming in two growing regions – Ashanti & Brong-Ahafo in Ghana. Sampling was non-random aided by government directory and based on ability of respondent to provide information. A total of 10 farmers each from Ashanti and Brong-Ahafo regions (20 farmers) were surveyed. Performance indicators examined included Operating Profit, Net Income, Net Profit, Return to Land and Capital, Break-even Price, Break-even Production, and Rate of return to total investment. Results suggested that fish farming in the Ashanti region was more profitable than fish farming in the Brong-Ahafo region. Profitability in the Brong-Ahafo region applied to farmers producing fingerlings for sale. Break-even production averaged 913kg in the Brong-Ahafo region compared to 877kg for the Ashanti region. Ashanti region performed better in measures of profitability. Farmer who constructed their own ponds had positive net profit. Ashanti region break-even price of $1/kg was lower than break-even price of Brong-Ahafo operations. Measures of profitability were generally better for farmers who provided supplementary feed.

b) If you have not yet submitted an abstract to WAS, you unfortunately missed the deadline for general sessions. In this case, immediately submit your abstract to WAS through the WAS website. Specify that you wish the paper to be accepted in the special “tilapia session.” Provide a duplicate of your abstract for evaluation for this competitive pre-conference award.

Title:

Session:

Abstract:

4. Please provide a statement outlining your specific need for conference preparation funds to the WAS annual conference in San Antonio.

a. US Visa application fees

  1. Return trip air fares to San Antonio
  2. Taxi from US Airport to Hotel in San Antonio
  3. In-country travel to conference location in San Antonio
  4. Hotel accommodation
  5. Daily Subsistence Allowance
  6. In-country travel (Ghana-for visa procurement, Kumasi-Accra-Kumasi)
  7. In-country travel from Kumasi to Accra Airport (outward journey)
  8. In-country travel from Accra to Kumasi (homeward journey)

Receipts for payment or Honour certificates for in-country travels in Ghana can be provided.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

Recipients of Aquaculture CRSP pre-conference awards are required to attend the Technical Committee meeting on Sunday, February 25 and Monday February 26, 2007. If you receive an Aquaculture CRSP pre-conference award then you are expected to make your travel plans to attend this TC meeting. Not attending the ACRSP meeting will invalidate your travel award.

Recipients of Aquaculture CRSP pre-conference awards are expected to obtain VISAS for travel to the US. Verifying visa status with Kevin Fitzsimmons is necessary prior to acceptance of awards.

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