Income and cost efficiency of lobster farming in Soropia, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia

Abstract

Lobster is one of the main export commodities of the Indonesian aquaculture sector. Marine farmers often face challenges in developing their businesses; for example, both lobster seed and feeds are only available during certain periods. This study aims to analyze the cost efficiency and to quantify the income of lobster aquaculture farming, in Soropia, Konawe District, Sulawesi Tenggara Province. All the lobster farmers in the area (42 households) were studied. The results show that (1) lobster farming business achieves cost efficiency, with the R-C ratio of 1.85, and (2) the average lobster farming income is Rp 6.070.342 (Rp 10,000- 1 US $) for each production cycle (10 months). Agribusiness system development is expected to help lobster farming become more sustainable, especially in its cultivation sub-systems.