Performance and Challenges in the Value Chain of the Anadara tuberculosa Bivalve Mollusk in Ecuador

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

The authors presented an article titled "Performance and challenges in the value chain of the Anadara Tuberculosa bivalve mollusk in Ecuador".

The article is interesting and actual and is in the scope of Sustainability.

The authors must reinforce in the introductory section the importance that the subject presents, mainly localy.

The figures must be improved. For example, for the graphics made with Excel, must import them as SVG files instead of past them directly.

Conclusions must refer the results obtained in the study.

Author Response

We appreciate the time and effort the reviewers have dedicated to providing feedback on ways to improve our paper. We have incorporated “major changes” that reflect the suggestions provided by reviewers. We also hope that the responses we provide below satisfactorily address editors’ and reviewers’ issues and concerns.

 

REVIEWER_1

1. The authors presented an article titled "Performance and challenges in the value chain of the Anadara tuberculosa bivalve mollusk in Ecuador". The article is interesting and actual and is in the scope of Sustainability.

 

We greatly appreciate your encouraging comment.

 

2. The authors must reinforce in the introductory section the importance that the subject presents, mainly localy.

 

In the Introduction we stress the importance of this topic, lines 72-82. This highlights the relevance of the study of the production and value chain of this bivalve mollusk for the communities of settlers located on the Ecuadorian coastline, since it is their main means of subsistence. Its commercialization should generate benefits for those involved in this productive activity. In addition to the fact that this resource is one of the products provided by the mangrove ecosystem, since it reproduces naturally in this coastal wetland, so that its proper use and management could positively affect the size and condition of the populations of the mollusk and the other associated species. The importance of the study can be expanded with the article that we have published, on the importance of the shell, visible in:

http://revistasespam.espam.edu.ec/index.php/Revista_ESPAMCIENCIA/article/view/209

 

3. The figures must be improved. For example, for the graphics made with Excel, must import them as SVG files instead of past them directly.

 

Figures 2, 3, and 4 have been modified to improve their quality. With the revision of the data, the values of the indices varied a little. The performance remained the same at 75.1; the productivity rate changed to 77.3. Quality of life changed to 67.5. That of competitiveness changed to 80.4. These values replace the previous ones in the text.

 

 

 

 

FIGURE 2

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                     

FIGURE 3

FIGURE 4

 

 

4. Conclusions must refer the results obtained in the study.

Based on the objectives of this research, the following conclusions and recommendations are presented.

• The value chain of the A. tuberculosa, is composed of links between shellfish collectors, shellfish association managers, traders, and restaurants-cevicherías, presents a moderate to good performance based on the diagnosis made of its three dimensions, competitiveness, productivity, and quality-of-life.
• The value obtained for the performance index of the A. tuberculosa value chain (75.1%) indicates that it has a moderate level in terms of competitiveness. It should be noted that the competitiveness dimension was the one that achieved the best performance when compared with the productivity dimension that registered an intermediate performance level and the quality-of-life dimension, which obtained the lowest performance level.
• Competitiveness was evaluated through the cost, quality, and market segment subdimensions. The main strength of the black shell business lies in the unique characteristics that make it an appealing product in high demand. Still, it is threatened by different factors, which could be appropriately managed if progress is made in meeting the challenges raised in this research.
• Productivity was analyzed through the physical productivity and economic productivity subdimensiones. Regarding the economic productivity subdimension, the highest percentage of participants in the production chain (35.4%) indicated that they always experienced moderate improvements in their income. It was also concluded that the monthly income per shellfish collector (between 427 and 640 USD) is below the basic family basket in Ecuador (712.11 USD), aspect that should be improved for the benefit of this link.
• Quality-of-life dimension was based on the infrastructure, overcrowding, and schooling subdimensions. The educational level of the participants in this value chain is relatively low, a situation that places them on the poverty line.
• Diagnosed performance and observation of the A. tuberculosa value chain allowed identifying the main challenges for its strengthening and for mangrove preservation, which are the following: 1) Restoration of the mangrove ecosystem; 2) Introduction of good production practices of the A. tuberculosa, both of natural populations and new populations derived from low-intensity aquaculture techniques; 3) Implementation of good practices for manipulation and purification of the A. tuberculosa; 4) Promotion of ventures with a value creation approach; 5) Strengthening of shellfish organizations and Mangrove Custody and Sustainable Use Agreements, and lastly; 6) Development of an institutional support system that, based on innovation, contributes to the advancement of the challenges mentioned above.
• For each of the challenges and strategic objectives, it is recommended to perform research and generate master documents that help clarify the optimal way for their application in the Ecuadorian context and serve as a guide for the rest of the countries that produce and commercialize the A. tuberculosa.

The main conclusion of the research is that there are gaps between the ideal or desirable conditions related to what the literature indicates in relation to the competitiveness, productivity and quality of life dimensions and what is actually observed in the productive environment and area where the study was conducted. If there were no gap, the index would be 100 and not 75, which was what was obtained.

On the other hand, the greatest gap is observed in the quality of life dimension, which is why it is precisely there, where improvements and meeting the challenges should be focused.

The challenges are policies, programs and activities that must be met to improve the performance of this value chain.

 

 

 

Reviewer 2 Report

The paper investigates the value chain of A. tuberculosa in Ecuador.

Please state if ethical clearance for a study with human participants/ informed consent was obtained.

For reproducibility / replicability and added value, the questionnaires should be provided in an appendix and the data (responses) should be made available, minimally in the form of a summary.

Line 13 This is where the “CP” abbreviation appears to be defined – equivalent to A. tuberculosa? However, throughout the paper sometimes A. tuberculosa is used and sometimes CP – sometimes both in the same paragraph: e.g., line 291/294. Please unify or make clear the terminology.

Lines 34-40 are repeated in lines 49-55. There will be a corresponding problem with the references.

Line 104 I could not find formula 1 in reference [13] exactly. Please explain how formula 1 was obtained.

The abbreviations of lines 144-146 do not match those in formula 2.

Line 165 refers to a “bibliographic review”. Please include a literature review in the article which shows the findings of the “bibliographic review”. 

Line 200 Please provide a reference for the Unsatisfied Basic Needs (UBN) methodology

Line 305, last sentence, does not appear to follow from the part of the paragraph before it.

Line 321-326 proposes measures, but has implementation and success rate been considered? Please identify and reference any supporting literature for implementation and success rate of such practices or state that this requires further research.

Line 423 define shells – missing word: shell collectors? How would it be feasible to market directly to end customers? Please explain.

Please explain the limitations of the study – approach to stratified sampling and assumptions, methods.

Author Response

We appreciate the time and effort the reviewers have dedicated to providing feedback on ways to improve our paper. We have incorporated “major changes” that reflect the suggestions provided by reviewers. We also hope that the responses we provide below satisfactorily address editors’ and reviewers’ issues and concerns.

 

REVIEWER_2

1. The paper investigates the value chain of A. tuberculosa in Ecuador.

 

 

1. Please state if ethical clearance for a study with human participants/ informed consent was obtained. (MEM/EPC):

 

All participants gave their informed consent to participate in the study, complying with the ethical considerations.

 

 

1. For reproducibility / replicability and added value, the questionnaires should be provided in an appendix and the data (responses) should be made available, minimally in the form of a summary.

The questionnaires designed and applied for this research were done in Spanish. They were published by Professor Eveligh Prado-Carpio, as well as the data (responses), in the following web locations: Accessible in: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/353352826_Tesis_Doctoral_en_el_Doctorado_de_Ciencias_Agrarias  

and in the published data accessible in:

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/354600788_Data_Tesis_Doctoral_Eveligh_Prado-Carpio

 

1. Line 13 This is where the “CP” abbreviation appears to be defined – equivalent to A. tuberculosa? However, throughout the paper sometimes A. tuberculosa is used and sometimes CP – sometimes both in the same paragraph: e.g., line 291/294. Please unify or make clear the terminology.

 

Given that the common name of the bivalve mollusk in Spanish is “Concha Prieta” (CP), this abbreviation was used as a synonym for the scientific name Anadara tuberculosa, or abbreviated, A. tuberculosa, so as not to be repetitive in the wording.  Following your suggestion, we have used only A. tuberculosa to avoid confusión.

 

 

1. Lines 34-40 are repeated in lines 49-55. There will be a corresponding problem with the references.

 

Lines 49-55 have been deleted. The numbering of references has been checked.

 

 

1. Line 104 I could not find formula 1 in reference [13] exactly. Please explain how formula 1 was obtained.

 

This formula was obtained, with the support of the bibliography published by Martínez, C. (2016). Statistics and Sampling. Bogotá: ECOE Ediciones, accessible at: https://books.google.com/books?hl=es&lr=&id=mfVeDwAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PR19&dq=Mart%C3%ADnez,+C.+(2005).+Estad%C3%ADstica+y+Muestreo.+Bogot%C3%A1:+ECOE+Ediciones.&ots=e0HTUWAldg&sig=fnkOSn1pLs2ITXttPTpFXNKXTT0#v=onepage&q&f=false

On page 306 the outlined formula can be found. The above book can be cited as reference for the formula.

 

 

 

 

1. The abbreviations of lines 144-146 do not match those in formula 2.

 

The Concha Prieta Value Chain Performance Index (VCPI) is an original contribution of this research. It is an average of the Competitiveness index (CI), Productivity index (PI) and the Quality of life index (QLI). The method used to estimate these indices was developed by [14] and integrates the actual variables or response indicators observed in the questionnaire based on the Likert scale. The scale is transformed from the value of 1 to 5 to a value based on 100 points using the following model equation:

(2)

Where: 

• VCPI: Value Chain Performance Index.
• Points: These are the scores assigned by the interviewees to the different items based on the Likert scale of the applied questionnaires (1 to 5) for each dimension.
• Dimension: Total value (5 * Number of Indicators) of the corresponding dimension (Competitiveness, Productivity, and Quality-of-life).
• n: Number of dimensions that apply (n = 3).

 

1. Line 165 refers to a “bibliographic review”. Please include a literature review in the article which shows the findings of the “bibliographic review”.

 

The theoretical contribution of our research is twofold. On the one hand, we have tried to integrate the concepts of value chain and sustainability, which leads to the theory of sustainable value chain, one of the current trends that the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) promotes. On the other hand, concerning the added value of the research, we have developed a new index to estimate the performance of the value chain. This value chain performance construct is based on three dimensions measuring competitiveness, productivity, and quality of life.

Additionally, in our research, we have determined a set of strategic lines and actions to improve the performance of the value chain. Six relevant challenges have been determined based on the surveys of workers active in the different links of the value chain and extensive literature review dealing with specific problems of the value chain. This literature review is part of the doctoral work on Anadara tuberculosa performed by Prof. Eveligh Prado-Carpio, one of the coauthors of this article (ref. 10). It has also led to the publication of peer-reviewed articles on the subject (refs. 28, 30).

 

1. Line 200 Please provide a reference for the Unsatisfied Basic Needs (UBN) methodology.

 

The reference was number 16 in the original version. In the modified version it is reference 29:

 

29. Feres, J. X.; Mancero, X.  El método de las necesidades básicas insatisfechas (NBI) y sus aplicaciones en América Latina; Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe-CEPAL, División de Estadística y Proyecciones Económicas, Serie Estudios Estadísticos y Prospectivos 7, Santiago de Chile, 2001; pp. 52.  Available online: https://www.cepal.org/es/ publicaciones/4784-metodo-necesidades -basicas-insatisfechas-nbi -sus-aplicaciones -america-latina. Accessed on 30.05.19. ISBN: 9213217919.

 

 

1. Line 305, last sentence, does not appear to follow from the part of the paragraph before it.

 

The idea that we have tried to convey is that although the growth of the mollusk is not rapid, sustainable aquaculture is a food and economical alternative for families dependent on this resource. The paragraph has been reworded as follows:

 

On the other hand, some studies have shown that the growth rate of A. tuberculosa is quite slow. It varies between 1.54 [28] and 1.875 mm/month [29]. It takes between one or two years to reach the commercial size depending on growth conditions. In these circumstances, sustainable aquaculture is a food and economical alternative for families dependent on this resource and can represent a particular safety net for families dependent on this resource.

 

 

1. Line 321-326 proposes measures, but has implementation and success rate been considered? Please identify and reference any supporting literature for implementation and success rate of such practices or state that this requires further research.

 

These practices were not considered for this article. They are topics to be considered for future research.

 

12. Line 423 define shells – missing word: shell collectors? How would it be feasible to market directly to end customers? Please explain.

Thank you for pointing out our mistake. We are referring to shellfish collectors.

 

Organized shellfish collectors can identify end customers, restaurants, cevicherias, and other kinds of food-selling businesses which use the shellfish as a main dish or as a complement to others. They should survey the businesses interested in the different provinces, starting with the most accesible and expanding then according to their logistical capabilities.

 

Through credits or solidarity loans, they can acquire the appropriate vehicles with refrigeration to move the products previously ordered by the clients. Likewise, they may include more personnel to undertake these tasks, such as drivers and assistants. Subsequently, it is recommended to have mechanics and workshops responsible for the maintenance of transport vehicles. They may also require specialized personnel dedicated to the marketing function.

 

 

1. Please explain the limitations of the study – approach to stratified sampling and assumptions, methods.

 

Regarding the logistical limitations of the study, there is the extensive area under investigation and the difficulties of access because most of the interviewees were in the archipelago, and we had to travel by boat to the islands to carry out the surveys or structured interviews.

 

For its part, the conceptual limitation is related to applying the value chain construct in an area that is very rudimentary and of little complexity, such as the production chain of A. tuberculosa.

 

The sampling was probabilistic and random because all the population members under study had the same opportunity to be selected to be surveyed.

 

It was of a stratified type because based on the production chain of A. tuberculosa, it is made up of the links of shellfish collectors, traders, and restaurants; to which a fourth group was added due to their influence on it, which is that of the managers of the shellfish associations. The criterion followed in the strata formation was to form them so that there is maximum homogeneity concerning the variable under study within each stratum and maximum heterogeneity between the strata.

 

Likewise, a proportional allocation was applied within the strata so that each stratum had a number of elements in the sample proportional to its size. Accessible at:

http://recursostic.educacion.es/descartes/web/materiales_didacticos/Muestreo_Inferencia_Estadistica/muestreo_probabilistico.htm

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reviewer 3 Report

Abstract

The abstract does not conclude the main results of the paper. It should summarize the main contribution of the study.

 

Introduction

In my opinion, the theoretical contribution is a weak point of this part. Authors do not compare their approach to existing literature theory in creating new value.

Page 1 line 32

What „year” perspective is here mentioned?

Page 2 line 49

Would you please relate the concept of sustainability to modern theory issues

Page 2 line 85

„The study further identifies challenges that must be addressed to improve sustainable economic and social use in harmony with the mangrove ecosystem.” – please add how it contributes to existing theory and the latest research

 

Materials and Methods

In my opinion, the sample justification is presented correctly. To used research tools and measurements, issues are correct. The time of the quantitative study was included as well as the structure of the sample.

 

Results and Discussion

Page 5

The results are pretty short – 1 page that comprises the value of the performance index value chain – 75.1%. Was it investigated separately in different groups of companies?

Page 5 line 196-198

What is a conclusion here?

Page 6

The challenges of literary research are based on literature review, less than based on the study.

Conclusion

Please add clearly and directly the theory contribution that concern sustainability issued. Please also add the limitation of the study and further research directions.

Author Response

We appreciate the time and effort the reviewers have dedicated to providing feedback on ways to improve our paper. We have incorporated “major changes” that reflect the suggestions provided by reviewers. We also hope that the responses we provide below satisfactorily address editors’ and reviewers’ issues and concerns.

 

REVIEWER_3

1. The abstract does not conclude the main results of the paper. It should summarize the main contribution of the study.

 

In the abstract we analyze the performance of the A. tuberculosa supply chain and the measures that can adopted to make it more sustainable. We justify the selection of six major challenges that are analyzed

 

After line 21 we added:

The competitiveness dimension reached the highest performance, followed by productivity. Quality of life was the dimension with the lowest performance.

 

 

2. In my opinion, the theoretical contribution is a weak point of this part. Authors do not compare their approach to existing literature theory in creating new value.

 

The theoretical contribution of our research is twofold. On the one hand, we have tried to integrate the concepts of value chain and sustainability, which leads to the theory of sustainable value chain, one of the current trends that the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) promotes. On the other hand, concerning the added value of the research, we have developed a new index to estimate the performance of the value chain. This value chain performance construct is based on three dimensions measuring competitiveness, productivity, and quality of life.

 

Additionally, in our research, we have determined a set of strategic lines and actions to improve the performance of the value chain. Six relevant challenges have been determined based on the surveys of workers active in the different links of the value chain and extensive literature review dealing with specific problems of the value chain. This literature review is part of the doctoral work on Anadara tuberculosa performed by Prof. Eveligh Prado-Carpio, one of the coauthors of this article (ref. 10). It has also led to the publication of peer-reviewed articles on the subject (refs. 28, 30).

 

 

3. Page 1 line 32. What „year” perspective is here mentioned?

 

The year correponding to the perspective mentioned is 2016 and is taken from the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC).

 

 

4. Page 2 line 49. Would you please relate the concept of sustainability to modern theory issues

 

As stated in point 2, we have tried to integrate the concepts of value chain and sustainability in our research on the Anadara tuberculosa value chain and we are agreement with the currents trends promoted by FAO on sustainable value chains.

 

This current focus on product supply chains ensures that the rural producer obtains fair benefits consistent with the work carried out, without exploitation, and managing the resources involved in the business, in an adequate way so that they continue to develop over time and thus to be able to carry out its sustainable use.

 

A sustainable food value chain is profitable in all its stages (economic sustainability), provides broad benefits for society (social sustainability), and has a positive or neutral impact on the natural environment (environmental sustainability).

All these aspects have been considered in our research.

Reference: Desarrollo de cadenas de valor alimentarias sostenibles. Principios rectores

Plataforma de Conocimientos sobre las Cadenas de Valor Alimentarias Sostenibles, visible en: http://www.fao.org/sustainable-food-value-chains/what-is-it/es/

 

 

5. Page 2 line 85. The study further identifies challenges that must be addressed to improve sustainable economic and social use in harmony with the mangrove ecosystem.” – please add how it contributes to existing theory and the latest research.

 

Given that A. tuberculosa develops in close association with the mangrove forest located on the Ecuadorian coast, as well as other food resources, the sustainable management of this wetland will allow, at the same time, the use of the food resources it offers. It is understood as sustainable management, which allows obtaining reasonable benefits to those involved in the business. Their activities contribute to the maintenance and development of the wetland that supports them socially and economically. Thus, it allows an integral development for local communities in a situation of poverty that is maintained over time in its social, economic, and environmental aspects.

 

On page 6, line 210, we present the main challenges for this value chain.

 

 

6. Materials and Methods. In my opinion, the sample justification is presented correctly. To used research tools and measurements, issues are correct. The time of the quantitative study was included as well as the structure of the sample.

 

Thank you for your appreciation of the research methodology applied in this study.

 

 

7. Results and Discussion. Page 5. The results are pretty short – 1 page that comprises the value of the performance index value chain – 75.1%. Was it investigated separately in different groups of companies?

 

This study is the final part of a more extensive investigation related to Eveligh Prado Carpio doctoral thesis. The results have already been partially published in different journals and conference proceedings. In this research, taking as a reference the performance index of the value chain and its dimensions, the study focuses on the challenges that will improve performance.

The study was carried out with the main economic actors, entrepreneurs, and companies, in the area under investigation. This value chain is small and rudimentary if compared to that of bananas or shrimp in Ecuador.

 

 

8. Page 5 line 196-198. What is a conclusion here?

 

The conclusion is that the income obtained by the shellfish collectors in this activity is not enough to cover the Ecuadorian basic food basket. Therefore, they are in a state of poverty.

 

 

9. Page 6. The challenges of literary research are based on literature review, less than based on the study.

 

The challenges raised were mainly obtained from the collection of information in the field. They were then referenced with updated scientific literature.

 

In the applied questionnaires, the last section consisted of open questions in which the interviewees were asked to suggest improvements to the value chain. This information served as the basis to configure the challenges. This information was then elaborated further with the researchers’ experience, and the discussion based on bibliographic references of experiences related to each challenge.

 

 

10. Conclusión. Please add clearly and directly the theory contribution that concern sustainability issued.

 

Following your suggestion, conclusions have been expanded and in particular the following paragraph related to sustainability issues has been included:

 

In this research, the need to apply sustainable development guidelines in the business of A. tuberculosa was clearly determined since for local people to obtain an economic benefit from their subsistence activity (economic dimension), which generally involves the entire family group (social dimension), it is required to take advantage adequately of the shellfish resource associated with the mangrove ecosystem, that allows the wetland to develop properly over time as well as the food resources it provides (environmental dimension).

 

11. Please also add the limitation of the study and further research directions.

The limitations of the study have been included in section 5, Conclusions and Recommendations. The following paragraph describes the nature of these limitations:

 

The limitations of the study are of a logistical and conceptual nature. Logistically, the limitations arise due to the extensive area under study and the difficult access, mainly by small boats to the production areas. From the conceptual point of view, the limitations arise from applying a complex construct such as the value chain to a rudimentary and small production chain like the A. tuberculosa value chain.

 

In relation to future research, each challenge's conceptual and operational development will be deepened for its practical application in Ecuador. To this end, it is necessary to write projective articles for each case based on existing literature and on successful or unsuccessful experiences from which lessons can be drawn that contribute to the success of new initiatives.

 

Reviewer 4 Report

The article analyzes the value chain of  the Anadara  Tuberculosa bivalve mollusk in Ecuador by creating a synthetic index of several indicators.

In my opinion, the work is interesting and relevant; however, there are certain issues to be resolved before it is published:

Abstract:

The methodology is not clearly stated in the abstract (it is confusing).

To whom should the questionnaire be sent?

Introduction

Lines 44-45: mention what are the barriers

Methodology

The value chain is larger, the author should be mentions what part analysis

How is measure the performance of the value chain? Explain better.

What are the questions for each component of the index: CI, PI and ICL?

Figure 3 is not understood.

Conclusions

Could you establish economic policy recommendations given the results obtained?

Author Response

We appreciate the time and effort the reviewers have dedicated to providing feedback on ways to improve our paper. We have incorporated “major changes” that reflect the suggestions provided by reviewers. We also hope that the responses we provide below satisfactorily address editors’ and reviewers’ issues and concerns.

 

REVIEWER_4

The article analyzes the value chain of  the Anadara  tuberculosa bivalve mollusk in Ecuador by creating a synthetic index of several indicators. In my opinion, the work is interesting and relevant; however, there are certain issues to be resolved before it is published:

1. Abstract: The methodology is not clearly stated in the abstract (it is confusing).

 

The applied methodology was quantitative and descriptive [10]. Its design was non- experimental, field, cross-sectional, and ex post facto [11]. The research was carried out from January to October 2019 in the Jambelí archipelago, El Oro province, Ecuador. The population under study was integrated by 565 individuals, comprised of shellfish collectors, managers of shellfish associations, traders, and restaurants of the A. tuberculosa production chain. The sample size was estimated at 222 informants. The type of sampling used was probabilistic, random, stratified, and with proportional allocation, with an effective participation rate of the selected ones of approximately 80%. The questionnaire was applied personally through the structured survey method, in writing, and in each respondent's work area.

 

 

1. To whom should the questionnaire be sent?

 

Lines 18 and 19 indicate that the questionnaires were personally applied to each participant selected from each link in the production chain: shellfish collectors, traders, restaurants, and the like.

 

 

1. Introduction. Lines 44-45: mention what are the barriers

 

In these lines, it is pointed out that the value chains of rural goods are made up of small producers who face obstacles to improve their productivity and competitiveness.

 

In the case of this study related to the production of A. tuberculosa, some of its main limitations are:

- deforestation and contamination of the mangrove ecosystem

- production methods that overexploit this hydrobiological resource (beyond the supporting        capacity of the ecosystem in current conditions)

-  low levels of health and safety of the shellfish that is commercialized

-  progressive reduction of production because the system focuses on quantity and not value creation

-  poor fishing communities with low levels of education and social organization

- scarce institutional support from both the public and private sectors, national and international.

 

 

1. Methodology. The value chain is larger, the author should be mentions what part análisis. How is measure the performance of the value chain? Explain better.

 

We analyzed the entire value chain in this research, shellfish collectors, traders, and restaurants. The study did not include household consumption. It only focused on commercial consumption.

 

The performance of the value chain is a construct designed for this research. It is made up of the competitiveness, productivity, and quality of life dimensions.

 

To estimate an index related to the performance of the A. tuberculosa value chain, we designed questionnaires that included items that represent the best practices for each dimension according to the theoretical review. These items or concerns presented to the respondents were answered on a 5-level Likert scale. This scale was then transformed to a 100-point scale based on equation number 2 for each dimension and then for the value chain performance construct by calculating a weighted average. In this way, the performance of the value chain has been measured.

 

 

1. What are the questions for each component of the index: CI, PI and ICL?

 

The questions for each component of the value chain performance can be found in Prof. Eveligh Prado-Carpio's thesis, in the annexes section, where the texts of the applied surveys can be consulted. Accessible in:

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/353352826_Tesis_Doctoral_en_el_Doctorado_de_Ciencias_Agrarias

 

 

1. Figure 3 is not understood.

 

 

The infographic presented in Figure 3 is made up of a ladder where each step represents a support structure that facilitates the fulfillment of the next step, which shows higher levels of complexity and approach to achieving the challenges posed for closing the gap between the current conditions of the A. tuberculosa production chain and the desirable conditions of the value chain performance construct.

 

The development of an institutional support system, based on innovation, will contribute to the strengthening of shellfish organizations and the Mangrove Sustainable Use and Custody Agreements. These will facilitate the development of economic and social enterprises focused on value creation. The institutional support system, the social organizations of shellfish collectors and other actors in the value chain, and the development of enterprises, will contribute significantly to the implementation of systems of good practices for handling the shellfish. It will also encourage the introduction of good shellfish production practices either by traditional systems based on natural production or by new production systems based on the application of low-intensity aquaculture techniques. Finally, it will contribute to the restoration of the mangrove ecosystem through the progressive reduction of pollution and overexploitation and the expansion of the mangrove surface through replanting.

 

These challenges can be tackled simultaneously, even though their implementation success is linked to each other.

 

7. Could you establish economic policy recommendations given the results obtained?

 

 

Some economic policy recommendations related to strengthening the value chain and meeting the challenges posed have been included at the end of the Conclusions section. They are the following:

 

• Seek sources of national and international financing to preserve the mangrove ecosystem and its sustainable use by producing the tuberculosa and other species present in the mangrove. Among these, the raising of funds related to the CO₂ market offered in multilateral organizations stands out.
• Establish some registry through guidance systems that allow quantifying the amount of shellfish produced and sold nationally and exported to the neighboring countries of Colombia and Peru. This guidance system can be financed with the payment of small fees by those who buy the shells.
• Promote responsible consumption of shellfish at the restaurant level in terms of quality and size. Some subsidies could support this that benefits mainly shellfish collectors but also restaurants and merchants.
• Shrimp companies and other industries that have benefited from the deforestation and contamination of the mangroves should pay some fees collected at the level of local governments or NGOs to invest in the expansion of the mangrove surface and its decontamination.

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

The authors addressed all my questions and for that reason I recommend the article to be published.

Author Response

We thank you for your time and dedication in revising our manuscript. Your comments and suggestions have been beneficial, and we think that the quality of the manuscript has been significantly enhanced.

Reviewer 3 Report

Dear Authors,

Thank you for your complete feedback to review comments.

In my opinion, introduced changes to text raised this paper value.

I wish you good luck in further research.

 

Author Response

We thank you for your time and dedication in revising our manuscript. Your comments and suggestions have been beneficial, and we think that the quality of the manuscript has been significantly enhanced. We have revised the references in our manuscript and corrected some minor mistakes. One additional reference has been added (number 48).