So, for this week, there was something wrong with the farm when the accountants visited it, and the boss of the company wants something that would improve the production of the shrimps. But based on what I know, the issue is less about equipment or lack of data, and more about how the next farm manager handles the tasks and overall system. Moreover, their is a turnover problem. Kahit may pond design, tools, and technical knowledge, kung kulang sa coordination at proper implementation, 'di pa rin siya sustainable.

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Since suspended ang face-to-face work the whole week, I stayed at home and focused on one major task: reviewing and documenting the standards and best practices for intensive shrimp farming, based on actual operations of AXP Agriventures Inc. and other sources. Through this week, more on reviewing and reading lang ng journals and articles ang binabasa ko para mas mapaayos ang pagpapalakad ng shrimp farm. I don’t really understand kung anong connect nito sa data analysis but it is a task given, so dapat ay gawin. I think haha.

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Day-to-day rundown:

Monday to Friday – I worked on consolidating research, analyzing field data, and writing a full reference guide on shrimp farming practices. This covered everything from pond design, equipment, stocking practices, and feed management to water quality protocols and harvesting strategies. I spent time reading BFAR guidelines, case studies (like Rizky’s circular pond systems in Indonesia), and actual practices from Zambales farms to make sure I got a solid grasp of how everything connects.

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Highlights of the week:
🔹 Pond Types & Design – I learned how pond shape affects waste removal, oxygen flow, and disease prevention. Circular ponds are gaining popularity for better sludge control and higher density production (up to 150 PL/m²), but they also need more labor and planning.

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🔹 Equipment Breakdown – I compiled a list of necessary tools: paddle wheels, submersible pumps, HDPE liners, tractors with rotavators, and even small paddle boats. I also noted best practices like placing 6 HP of aerators in a 1000 m² pond depending on stocking density.

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🔹 Biosecurity & Water Management – I saw how shrimp survival heavily depends on early planning: proper pond drying, predator removal, using screens and crab fences, and regular monitoring of water pH, ammonia, and sludge thickness. Even footbaths matter!

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🔹 Feeding Systems – One of the most interesting parts was how farms balance manual and automatic feeding. Profeeders help reduce labor and improve FCR to below 1.2. Schedules matter: blind feeding for the first 30 days, followed by planned feeding schemes with added supplements and probiotics.

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🔹 Partial Harvesting Logic – I learned how farms use early or mid-harvests not just for profit but for risk reduction (storms, overcrowding, disease). Harvesting 20–50% early at 15–20 grams allows flexibility and keeps the rest of the shrimp growing optimally.

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🔹 Sludge Mapping – A surprisingly effective practice: drawing sludge locations post-harvest to evaluate aerator placement and plan the next cycle better. It's simple but really strategic.

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Even if I was working remotely the entire week, I still felt productive because I got to deepen my understanding of the science and systems behind shrimp farming. Actually, I feel kind of anxious din kasi possible na biglang mawalan ng kuryente and syempre kapag walang kuryente, then hindi ako makakgawa. But going back, this report that I am doing, masasabi mo na ang pag-ooperate ng farm ay hindi lang siya basta-basta pagpapakain at pag-harvest; ang daming layers—from equipment, schedules, to biological processes—that need to align for consistent profit and sustainability.

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Most importantly, I realized that technical systems alone aren’t enough. The real key to improving shrimp production lies in clear communication, responsible leadership, and consistent implementation of protocols. If these aren't present, kahit anong galing ng plano, sayang lang.

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This week reminded me why I enjoy analyzing processes—because behind every data point is a real-world consequence: lost profit, shrimp mortality, or wasted resources. I’m glad I got to contribute something that could hopefully help the farm improve not just their output, but also their system flow and management strategy moving forward.