Browsing by Author "Flores, Maria Cristina C."

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    Needs assessment of Smoked fish and dried fish processing MSMEs in selected towns of La Union
    (Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University - North La Union Campus, 2007-03) Flores, Maria Cristina C.
    This study which was conceived to assess the needs of smoked and dried fish processing MSMEs was conducted specifically to: 1) to establish the profile of fish processors dealing with smoked fish and dried fish, b) to identify and evaluate the processing techniques of fish processors, and c) to identify the problems encountered of fish processors. The findings indicated that the processors of smoked and dried fish were in their productive years, mostly high school graduate, married with children ranging 3-5. Had been engage in processing for 46-60 years. The volume of production per day was 19-25 kilos. The monthly income was P4, 000-5,500 ranges. Fish processors recognized the importance of product development and oftenly conducted experiment or research to improve the quality of their products. Insufficient capital was considered the most serious problem. Majority of the Fish processors belonged to the 35-43 years age bracket, mostly female, with 3 to 5 numbers of children, Roman Catholic and had high school education. Most of them owned the business enterprise, engaged in fish processing for 46 years average, had 4 employees, produced 19-25 kilos per day, with P4, 350.5 average business monthly income. Most of them marketed their products to retailers especially the walk-in buyers along the highway, incurred unsold products of about 1926%5% of total production. They always relied from their own savings as the major source of funds. Besides, they borrowed from friends and loan shark “Bombay”. They claimed that capital was highly adequate for payment of maturing loan, for the purchase of material/ goods and product development. In paying their loan from different sources, 48.36% came from the income derived from the business. The insufficiency of capital was their foremost serious problem while the limited market for the product, food packaging and seasonality of fishing industry were regarded as moderately serious problems. To strengthen the fish processing MSMEs, the government should establish credit institutions. Moreover, formal lending institutions shall be more flexible to be able to accommodate more fish processors. The fish processors need also to improve the packaging of smoked and dried fish products to gain better market competitiveness. Likewise, market information is made accessible to fish processors. Moreover, more advance fish processing technology be generated and disseminated.