“Live Tilapia”: Diversifying Livelihoods for Rural Communities in México

Abstract

This study documents the socioeconomic impact of an innovation based on the marketing of live aquaculture products in rural communities as the Live Tilapia Points of Sales (LTPOS). A case study research conducted where the participatory strategy of "Simultaneous Production Growth Groups" (SPGG) was applied for technology innovation, which includes technology modules, organizational strategy and operational management. The results were evaluated socially and economically. In 14 months, 3531.50 kg of live tilapia were distributed in four local places for sale and self-consumption. The system obtained a BCR of 1.23 and offered as well to the rural population an alternative of fish consumption in better freshness conditions than the regular fish supply. It brings up an extra income to the main market chain participants and development of aquaculture capabilities. Therefore, the LTPOS is a viable option for diversifying livelihoods and improving regional rural population income.

The Tilapia Agrifood-Chain from a Sociopoietic Territorial Approach: A Theoretical Proposal

“…Building partnerships between the links is necessary for quality and quantity, and to maintain product quality during its transit through the chain to meet the regional market (Table 4). Based on the performance of "Point of Sales of Live Tilapia" as a marketing strategy to increase the competitiveness of the agrifood-chain in the Sotavento region of the state of Veracruz (Lango-Reynoso et al, 2015), the system is not articulated. Thus, the system cannot be promoted and managed by its organization through cooperative agreements among the actors to coordinate their production resources and generate cognitive capacities and learning, which differs from other competing systems; strategies needed to maintain and grow the participating companies (Nooteboom, 2009).…”

“…As a business strategy to increase the competitiveness of the Tilapia Agrifood-Chain based on its own resources and the nature of the territory, a network marketing of live tilapia was established at specified points of sale (Lango-Reynoso et al, 2015). Building partnerships between the links is necessary for quality and quantity, and to maintain product quality during its transit through the chain to meet the regional market (Table 4).…”

“…The transport system is considered as a link chain, not a service due to its importance in the process (Puduri et al, 2011). In the marketing link it includes the use of aquaculture systems to maintain and display living organisms in supermarkets, markets, and restaurants (Thapa et al, 2015), as well as other points of urban and rural sale (Lango-Reynoso et al, 2015). The production process is based on an organizational model where the building of partnerships among members of the links is intended to coordinate chain resources to meet the needs of the product market.…”

Factors That Limit the Adoption of Biofloc Technology in Aquaculture Production in Mexico

“…In the case of restaurants, the aquaculturist is closing the marketing links, bringing his transformed product directly to consumers and this activity should be replicated, to strengthen the incomes of those who do not yet practice it. This approach is defended by [82][83][84] in Veracruz, who developed the "live tilapia concept", bringing fresh and live product to the consumer. In addition, both [85,86] concluded that aquaculture favored the diversification of economic activities; a positive aspect for the development of the Mexican rural sector that currently prevails.…”