Social Enterprise Model Canvas and economic evaluation of an oyster farming project for poverty alleviation among women oyster farmers in the Saloum Delta, Senegal

ABSTRACT | This study develops a social impact oyster farming model for the Saloum Delta (Senegal), focused on improving income and working conditions of women oyster farmers through suspended cultivation of Magallana gigas (Thunberg 1793) and Crassostrea tulipa (Lamarck 1819). Using the Social Canvas Model and an economic-financial evaluation based on a 5% discount rate, an integrated system is proposed that includes seed production, purification, and processing, with an estimated initial investment of € 572,000. The model generates 26 direct jobs, ensures positive accumulated cash flow during the evaluation period, and achieves financial sustainability under the zero NPV criterion. It is observed that profitability depends on combining both marketing formats (live oysters and dried meat), with exclusive production of dried meat being unfeasible. The approach adopted allows for designing a replicable, financially viable model that is consistent with the aquaculture development and poverty reduction objectives promoted by the Senegalese government. Palabras clave: Oyster farming, women poverty, Social Enterprise, Model Canvas, economic evaluation RESUMEN | El presente estudio desarrolla un modelo de ostricultura de impacto social para el delta del río Salum (Senegal), enfocado en mejorar los ingresos y condiciones laborales de mujeres ostricultoras mediante el cultivo suspendido de Magallana gigas (Thunberg 1793) y Crassostrea tulipa (Lamarck 1819). Mediante el Modelo Canvas Social y una evaluación económico-financiera basada en una tasa de descuento del 5%, se propone un sistema integral que incluye producción de semillas, depuración y procesamiento, con una inversión inicial estimada de 572.000 €. El modelo genera 26 empleos directos, asegura una tesorería acumulada positiva durante el período de evaluación y alcanza la sostenibilidad financiera bajo el criterio de VAN igual a cero. Se observa que la rentabilidad depende de combinar ambos formatos de comercialización (ostras vivas y carne seca), siendo inviable la producción exclusiva de carne seca. El enfoque adoptado permite diseñar un modelo replicable, financieramente viable y coherente con los objetivos de desarrollo acuícola y reducción de la pobreza promovidos por el gobierno senegalés. Keywords: Cultivo de ostras, Mujeres, Pobreza, Modelo Canvas de Empresa Social, evaluación económica REFERENCES Addo S., Boateng C. M., Diyie R. L., Duodu C. P., Ferni A. K., Williams E. A., Amakye A. O., Asamoah O., Danso -Abbeam H., Nyarko E. (2022). Occurrence of microplastics in wild oysters (Crassostrea tulipa) from the Gulf of Guinea and their potential human exposure. 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