Development of an Alternative Technology Package for Processing Sea Cucumber

Philippine Journal of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering; Ronel Pangan; Kevin Yaptenco; Sharmaine Pardua; Jonnel Andrew Duque

doi:10.48196/013.01.2017.02

Philippine Journal of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
Ronel Pangan University of the Philippines Los Banos
Kevin Yaptenco University of the Philippines Los Banos
Sharmaine Pardua University of the Philippines Los Banos
Jonnel Andrew Duque University of the Philippines Los Banos

DOI: https://doi.org/10.48196/013.01.2017.02

Keywords: sea cucumber, trepang, processing technology package, hybrid dryer

Abstract

A hygienic and profitable way of processing sea cucumber was developed for village-level application. The developed technology package involved the design and fabrication of a preparation table, a boiling apparatus, a cleaning/scraping machine and a dryer. Each of the developed machine/equipment were based from the results of the survey conducted regarding the existing processing activities in different areas of the country. The system was designed to process 100 kilos of fresh sea cucumber in a single batch. As compared to the traditional processing method, the product produced was of better quality resulting to a much higher selling price for the farmers. The developed technology complies with the processing standards set by the Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards (BAFS) (2013). The use of corals or steel brushes in cleaning was eliminated and smoke contamination was avoided. The quality was maintained since there were no smoke odor, decay and scorch marks in the product. Using the developed technology was profitable with a computed Net Present Value (NPV) of P234,000.00, a benefitcost ratio (BCR) of 1.07 and an internal rate of return (IRR) of 19.2%. With a total capital investment of PhP234,000.00 and an annual operating cost of P192,000.00 (four months processing time in a year), farmers can realize a net income of PhP246,400.00. The developed technology was simple to operate and can be easily fabricated even in small fabrication shops.