Economic Analysis Of Nile Crocodile Farming In Tanzania: A Case Study Of Kaole Crocodile Farm, Bagamoyo

ABSTRACT

Crocodile products have become popular in the world. In effect, they have attracted the attention of people in many countries including Tanzania. However, the farming practice comprises many activities and time involved before derivation of the commercial products. This study aimed at gaining insight on the economics of Nile crocodile farming in Bagamoyo, Tanzania. The objectives were to determine the reproductive rates of Nile crocodiles, products extracted from the crocodile, costs of inputs, price for various crocodile products, and benefits derived from crocodile farming to the farmer and to the local community. Data were collected using two sampling techniques, purposive sampling in selecting study site and sampling villages while random sampling technique was employed in selecting respondents for determining community benefits. Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR) was calculated on the crocodile farm after costs and benefits were determined. Crocodile in the farm were 56; males were 35 and females were 21. Only one Crocodile layed 35 eggs in the year of study, hatchery rate was 29% and rate of maturation was 40%. Nile crocodile products extracted were live crocodiles and the skins. The cost of a live crocodile was 20 US$ from the wild to the farm for purposes of rearing. The skins were exported; Grade 1 sold at 10$/cm², Grade 2 at 6$/cm² and Grade 3 at 5$/cm². The Net Present Value was positive (Tsh8,743,498) whereby BCR was greater than one (1.2) indicating that crocodile farming was profitable to the farmer. Hatchability was low, the reason of which demands investigation. In the study of nearby villages results reveled 27% of the respondent recognizes benefits from crocodile farm while 73% did not recognize. The study recommends that improvement can be achieved by genetic selection of the breeders and eggs should be collected and incubated in a special incubator to enhance hatchability.