COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS OF NOVEL FISH DRYING EQUIPMENT IN GANDARA CENTRAL, MATARA

Abstract

Sri Lanka is an island which is mainly having an agriculture based economy. Agriculture, forestry and fishing, is one of major sources of income for GDP. Among those fishing industry is very important and contributing to GDP by 2.3% in 2004, 1.3% in 2005, and 1.8% in 2006. Southern Province is one of the important areas contribute to this achievement. Further, Gandara, Dikwella, Dondra, Mirissa, Thotamuna are the major fishing harbors in Matara District. Gandara cenral was mainly selected by CIDA Restore Project because that area was highly damaged by Tsunami and the incumbents and their livelihood was mainly based on fish related industries. In early times, the people in the area produced dried fish and maldive fish using very traditional methods and technologies. Mainly, women are the key members among the producers of maldive fish and dried fish while the men are engaging with fishing. The livelihood group of the CIDA Restore Project identified the fish and maldive fish industry as viable livelihood industry, specially for women in this area, and found the problems of the industry. As a solution, the livelihood development group got the assistance from an expert of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna, who invented a solar-power drier. This drier helps to minimize various costs and maximize benefits of the fish drying process. Hence, 10 Tsunami affected women who are willing, and as well as, previously engaged with this industry in small scale were identified to start a new business. This paper aims to analyze the costs and benefits of the venture as well as feasibility of the solar drier as a fish and maldive fish drying equipment. The costs were analyzed in terms of monetary, time, energy, and psychic costs and benefits were analyzed in terms of product, service, personnel and image. Finally, it was disclosed that the benefits are considerably higher than the cost incurred of the production of both maldive fish and dried fish.