Distinctive characteristics of Nile tilapia cultivation (oreochromis niloticus) in the Papaloapan region, Oaxaca, Mexico

Abstract

Aquaculture has the potential to contribute to Mexico's food security. This activity is being implemented in some areas of the country with positive results in terms of sustainable development of rural communities. However, studies showing the basic aspects in which the activity is practiced are lacking. This paper presents the results obtained from a survey of tilapia farmers in three municipalities of the Papaloapan Cuenca, Oaxaca, Mexico, regarding five characteristics: producers, cages, production, marketing and consumption, and general aspects of the aquaculture practice.A survey was applied to 70 fish farmers using the non-probabilistic snowball sampling method. The results show that production is mainly concentrated in men (83%) between the ages of 19 and 75 years old. The predominance of indigenous speakers (88%). The fish farmers use rectangular floating cages (97%), which have increased in number since the beginning of the activity compared to the time of the survey. The cost of feed represents 61-70% of the total cost. Although most of the tilapia harvested per cycle is destined for sale, producers reported that an average of 1.7% is for personal consumption. In addition, a large percentage (96%) follow feeding protocols.It is concluded that tilapia aquaculture production in the Papaloapan region has contributed to achieving various socioeconomic objectives of national interest in communities considered to be in extreme poverty and social struggle, such as generating self-employment that increases the income of fish farmers and the standard of living of their families. Furthermore, it has the capacity to increase the supply of highly nutritious foods such as tilapia, thus contributing to food security and the social, technological, and economic development of the state of Oaxaca and the country.