Water quality and financial feasibility analysis of the development of milkfish (Chanos sp.) farms in Pabean Ilir Village, Indramayu, West Java

Abstract

The tidal flood that occurred in the coastal area of Indramayu in 2020 caused the farmers to fail the Vannamei shrimp harvest in Pabean Ilir Village. After the disaster, the farmers resumed their commodity with milkfish. To analyze if this strategy can compensate for the loss, it is essential to perform the feasibility and profitability of the new farming system. Water quality sampling, which referred to the standard method (APHA), was conducted at several sites in the pond. We elucidated the pattern of several water quality parameters such as water temperature, pH, salinity, dissolved oxygen, nitrite, nitrate, and ammonia, while the financial feasibility was assessed with a cost-benefit analysis. The data to conduct the analysis was collected by arriving series of structured face-to-face interviews and focus group discussions. A sensitivity analysis was carried out to measure the influence of changes in fish production and feed price. It is concluded that the water quality was suitable and safe for milkfish cultivation. We also noticed that the new aquaculture system was financially feasible, as indicated by the calculated net present value, benefit-cost ratio, and internal rate return.