SOCIO-ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF SEAWEED FARMERS IN GENERAL SANTOS CITY

This study was conducted in the two barangays of General Santos City namely: Barangay Bula (Zone 5, 6, & 8) and Barangay Bawing from October 2021 to December 2021 - to assess the socio-economic condition of the seaweed farmers in General Santos City. The list of seaweed farmers was taken from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in General Santos City, and 45 farmers are the respondents of this study. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Cost and return analysis were employed for the probability analysis.

The result shows that the majority of the respondents belong to the age group of 51-60 years old. Most of the seaweed farmers are male, married, have a medium- sized family of 5-6 members, and are Roman Catholics. In terms of their educational attainment, 60% of the respondents have attended high school and have been engaged in seaweed farming for 10-12 years.

The majority of the respondent' plants: Market (Eucheuma spinosum), Tambalang (Kappapychus alvarezii), and Repolyo (Kappaphycus striatum). And their average annual income for the Market is Php 11,025.00 with 450% Return on Investment, Tambalang (Fresh) is Php 4,800.00 with 259.46% ROI, Repolyo (Fresh) is Php 4,450.00 with 240.54% ROI, Tambalang (Dried) is Php 8,375.00 with 478.57% ROI & Repolyo (Dried) is Php 6,890.00 with 393.71% ROI. Moreover, it was observed that seaweed farmers in the area belong to the middle class of society in terms of their standard of living, considering that they can afford some luxuries.

With the given results, it is concluded that seaweed farming is economically viable in General Santos City. Therefore, the researcher recommended that the government may conduct annual training and seminar for the seaweed farmers; consider providing a bigger drying facility; consider engaging in value-adding activities for their commodity, and provide a proper facility where the farmers can make other seaweed products.