Application of Costing Techniques in Ornamental Fish Culture

Indian fisheries resources need to be properly utilized for more foreign exchange earnings and for upgrading livelihood of ornamental fish farmers and entrepreneurs. Madurai district was purposively chosen as it is marked as an ornamental hub in South Tamil Nadu and offers a huge market for many goods and services including aquarium fishes. The primary data was collected from a random sample of 22 ornamental fish farmers using a pre-tested survey schedule during the year 2002-2003 with an objective of estimating the economics of ornamental fish culture by cost-plus method in Madurai district. The selected farms were classified into leased (0.37 ha) and non-leased (7.395 ha) farm units. The estimated total variable cost was Rs. 68,42,934 and the total fixed cost was Rs. 18,78,496 constituting total cost of Rs. 87,21,430. Apportioned total cost and total variable cost were used for computing mark-up and net returns for ornamental fishes produced in Madurai district. The estimated total returns and net returns were Rs. 1,11,02,500 and Rs. 23,81,070, respectively. The Benefit Cost Ratio on total cost and total variable cost bases were found as1.27 and 1.62, respectively. Cost function was estimated on both total cost and total variable cost bases. The ornamental fishes which showed higher marginal cost were marked-up to 25% and 50% and the results were recorded.