Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development CARD Project Progress Report 002/05/VIE: Technical and economic feasibility of applying the Better Management Practices (BMP) to household aquaculture in Vietnam MS4: FIRST SIX-MONTHLY REPORT February 2007 1 1. Institute Information Project Name Technical and economic feasibility of applying the Better Management Practices (BMP) to household aquaculture in Vietnam Vietnamese Institution Research Institute for Aquaculture No.1 Vietnamese Project Team Leader Dr. Le Xan Australian Organisation The University of Western Australia (UWA) Australian Personnel Dr. Steven Schilizzi Date commenced January/2006 Completion date (original) December/2007 Date commenced (revised) August/2006 Completion date (revised) December/2008 Reporting period First Six Monthly Contact Officer(s) In Australia: Team Leader Name: Dr. Steven Schilizzi Telephone: +61 8 6488 2105 Position: Senior lecturer Fax: +61 8 6488 1098 Organisation The University of Western Australia (UWA) Email: schilizz@cyllene.uwa.edu.au or Steven.Schilizzi@uwa.edu.au In Australia: Administrative contact Name: Telephone: Position: Fax: Organisation Email: In Vietnam Name: Dr. Le Xan Telephone: 030.827124 or 04.8271368 Position: Vice Director Fax: 04.8273070 Organisation Research Institute for Aquaculture No.1 Email: lexancb@hn.vnn.vn or vie97030.ria1@fpt.vn 1 2. Project Abstract Household coastal aquaculture farms, ranging in area between 0.5 ha and 3 ha, produce 90% of the output of farmed shrimp from in Vietnam, worth $USD 1 billion in 2004. The economic viability and environmental sustainability of farms in this sector are threatened by poor farming practices that lead to disease outbreaks, environmental degradation; crops contaminated with chemical and antibiotic residues and decreased yields. Pilot–scale Better Management Practices (BMP) can, and have been applied to large commercial aquaculture ventures in Vietnam, with outcomes of improved yields and quality, environmental sustainability and reduced risk of disease. However, difficulties arise in the administration of BMP to small-scale household farms because of financial constraints, lack of knowledge and little incentive or initiative to adopt BMP. The overall objective of this project is to investigate the effectiveness of BMP application to household farms and to develop methods to initiate BMP within this sector. The project will use consultative, incentive, demonstration, training and dissemination methods that are appropriate to the needs and abilities of household farmers. 3. Executive Summary The 002/05/VIE project made excellent progress after six months of implementation. The project commenced 30th August, 2006 and all inputs planned for the first six months, have been achieved and almost all milestones have been met or exceeded. After the project commenced, two meetings between the project director, project co-ordinator and Fisheries Extension Department of three provinces, namely Nghe An, Ha Tinh and Thua Thien-Hue, were organised to discuss the co-operation between the project officials and project provinces. As a result, a plan of co-operation was developed and contracts of cooperation were signed. The provinces nominated extension workers who work in fieldwork positions during the project implementation. Project areas and three demonstration farms in each province were selected. A semi-structured questionnaire was designed to analyse the current status of shrimp aquaculture, and identify incentives and constrains of BMP application in the three provinces. 30 shrimp aquaculture farms in each province were interviewed. The data from the survey are currently being analysed and the results compiled into a formal report. The overview of BMP for shrimp culture in Vietnam compared with other countries facing similar conditions and circumstances has been completed. The inception workshop was organised with 45 participants including project staff, provincial fisheries offices, extension workers and shrimp farms. The attendance of directors of Fisheries Department and Fisheries Extension Department of three provinces in this workshop emphasised the importance of BMP application in these provinces. The Australian project team have visited RIA 1 twice and the project province sites once. The BMP protocols have been developed and commended from shrimp cultured experts, local fisheries officers, extension workers and shrimp farm households though the inception workshop. In addition, the project office equipment includes computers, projector, printer which were purchased and are being used. Environmental materials were purchased and delivered to Extension Department of three project provinces and demonstration farms. 2 4. Introduction & Background Project objective: The overall objective of this project is to investigate the effectiveness of BMP application to small-scale household farms through reducing negative environmental impacts, increasing yields, lowering risks and improving product quality - thereby contributing significantly to long-term poverty alleviation and income generation for households directly involved in aquaculture production chains. The short term objectives of the project are: a) to carry out an analysis of current status of household aquaculture and identify incentives and constraints to BMP application; b) to develop appropriate BMP guidelines and manuals for household aquaculture in the North Central region of Vietnam; and c) to build capacity for BMP application among stakeholders involved in aquaculture product market chains, especially smallholder producers. Output expected: Project outcomes will be the development of methods for dissemination and utilisation of BMP amongst household farmers, leading to tenable farm practices, reduced risk of disease, reduction in environmental degradation, increased yields and improvement of economic viability of the sector in the long term. The project will contribute to the Government of Vietnam’s Comprehensive Poverty Reduction and Growth Strategy (CPRGS), which is aligned with CARD program strategic framework. Approach and strategy: The project will involve three stages: a) analysis of current status of household aquaculture practices and identification of incentives and constraints for BMP implementation; b) development of appropriate BMP guidelines and manuals for household aquaculture through participatory on farm and community trials; and c) building capacity for BMP implementation and opening dialogues with exporters, traders and processors to explore market incentives for BMP promotion. For the first stage, the project must begin with a review of the literature and experience concerning BMP in the region and move to analysis of current small farm practices and the current production, health and resource status of household farms, and incentives and constraints to BMP implementation. The baseline study will be used to gain experience in methods to derive relevant information as well as equip research staff and fisheries officers with a comprehensive picture of the present status of household aquaculture in three provinces of Vietnam. At the end of the first phase, a draft action plan and sites for BMP demonstration will be prepared and selected by involved stakeholders. For the second stage, the project will focus BMP demonstration on two main shrimp aquaculture systems namely i) semi-intensive and ii) improved extensive which are considered as the dominant shrimp aquaculture models in the North Central region of Vietnam. Selected small scale aquaculture farmers from these two types will be encouraged to form aqua-clubs or associations for BMP demonstration. The roles of demonstration farmers from these groups are in consultation with staff from RIA1, UWA and local extension centers to select appropriate BMP to their conditions and to maintain a farm diary that records all inputs into the trials and relevant indicators as the trial progresses. Through a participatory process, relevant stakeholders such as farming communities, extension workers, researchers and fisheries department staff will be participating in BMP selection and supervision and monitor experimental trials that are being implemented by demonstration 3 farmers. Data collected by demonstration farmers and other regular data collected by RIA1 and fisheries staff will be used to establish project findings. For the third stage, findings of the project will then be used by demonstration farmers, extension workers and RIA1 staff to develop suitable BMP guidelines and training manuals for small farmers and extension workers, which will be disseminated through communication channels to build capacity for concerned stakeholders at all levels. Demonstration farmers, extension officers, BMP guidelines and training manuals and farmer associations will be key participants and factors in the dissemination of outcomes of the demonstration trials and the implementation of BMP throughout the regions. Those demonstration farmers, who are trained in: the use of basic water quality equipment, feeding strategy, selection of quality seed and some extension skills by the project technical staff, will disseminate the project findings to other farmers in the region. Market incentives for BMP implementation and product quality requirement will be explored by opening dialogues with local traders, collectors, whole traders, processors and importers. These stakeholders will be invited to participate in project activities such as training and workshops to share their concerns and product quality requirements with small scale producers. Methodology: Baseline study for assessment of BMP status: Standardised surveys and participatory assessment methods will be developed by RIA1 and UWA and used for assessing current aquaculture status, incentives and constraints of farmers to BMP application and draft BMP action plans for demonstration at household farm level. In each province 30 household farms will be sampled. The questionnaire will be designed to elicit information on current farming practices, status of farm production, socio-economic and environmental conditions, constraints and interests of household farmers in adopting BMP on their farms. Data will be processed and analysed by staff at RIA1 and UWA to serve as the basis for demonstration farm selection and kept as baseline indicators for comparison with demonstration and control farms during and after the project implementation. On farm trials for BMP development: The trials will work with two types of common farming systems practiced by household farmers: semi-intensive and improved extensive. In the semi-intensive systems, a group of 20-30 farms in each province will be selected and be encouraged to form a club or association for BMP demonstration. BMP practices will be promoted and shared among group members throughout the project implementation period. In the first year, each semi- intensive group will select 1 household farms to demonstrate BMP application through experiment treatment. To be considered for selection, household farms need to already conform to some initial criteria for BMP such as appropriate infrastructure and irrigation systems. In addition, farm size will be limited to 0.5 ha, farmers will need to be willing to participate in the experiment, and have financial capacity to co-invest with the demonstration trial. By participatory consultation, RIA1, UWA and farmers and extension workers at project sites will select suitable BMP for demonstration once the project has been approved. These may tentatively include: practices of pond preparation, seed certification and stocking, feed and feeding management, water quality management, disease management, post-harvest handling and product control. RIA1 staff will conduct seed control and certification for the trials. Post-larvae that are free of white spot disease (WSD) and Monodon Baculovirus (MBV) will be approved for use in trials. Hatcheries that can be certified disease-free will be identified by RIA1 staff and stipulated for purchase of seed. Some data (observation of 4 shrimp health, feed tray clearance, water quality data) will be collected daily by farmers using field test kits and equipment. Farmers will be given a farm record book to write all practices, data recordings, seed, and feed and water inputs he/she applies to the farm. Environmental data (salinity, pH, DO, BOD, NH 3 , NO 2 ) will be analysed monthly by project staff. Shrimp will be checked for chemicals and antibiotic residues one month before harvest (with specific analysis for contaminants banned by EU). Data on BMP demonstrations will be analysed by statistical methods to assess and validate impacts of BMP practices and as a basis to draft a BMP manual. In the second year the BMP manual will be verified for all members of the group and will be improved before recommending outcomes widely to all communities. In the improved extensive systems, two groups of 20-30 farms per province will be selected and encouraged to form aqua-clubs or associations and the applying procedure will be similar to the semi-intensive. The BMP practices selected for improved extensive farms may deal principally with pond preparation, seed selection, stocking and some management practices. One extension worker per project site will be assigned to assist demonstrated farmer groups in the project site. She/he will play an active role in facilitating monthly club/association meetings to promote BMP development and implementation. In addition, monthly, RIA1 staff will visit the project site to assist and give technical advice and collect environmental, disease and product samples to analyse and give feed back to farmers. Building capacity for BMP implementation: During the project implementation, capacity of stakeholders for BMP implementation will be built through participating in project meetings, training courses, workshops, cross visits and study tours: Fifty four monthly club/association meetings will be arranged each year to facilitate and exchange experience on BMP implementation and development during and after the crop. Eleven short training courses on different subjects will be organised and conducted for participants during the lifetime of the project: one BMP training course for 48 demonstration farmers and local extension workers before introducing BMP demonstrations in the first year; one general training course on product quality management for 40 participants comprising small producers, extension workers, collectors, traders and processors; three training sessions on BMP application to semi-intensive systems and; six training sessions on BMP application to improved extensive systems involving 90 and 180 participants respectively. Three workshops will be arranged within the project, namely the inception workshop, the project first year and terminal workshops. Three cross province study tours will be arranged for 24 representatives of demonstration farmers and extension workers in the target provinces in the first year. One 10-day training course in UWA will be arranged for two RIA1 researchers involved in the project on data analysis and reporting. Two representatives of EU or Japanese importers/consumers will be invited to participate in the project workshops and deliver lecture notes on product quality requirements for the EU/Japanese markets. This will be effective in opening dialogues between producers and processors/consumers. 2000 copies of BMP manuals for semi-intensive and improved extensive farming systems will be developed at the end of the project. 5 5. Progress to Date 5.1 Implementation Highlights The principal achievements to date have been: 1) Contracts of co-operation between CARD 002/05/VIE project and Department of Fisheries Extension of three project’s provinces were signed; 2) Demonstration areas and household farms in three provinces were chosen for the trial. 3) A questionnaire to analyse the current status of household aquaculture and identify incentives and constraints for BMP application, was completed. Around 100 shrimp farm households in three project’s provinces were interviewed collected data was entered and processed and the resultant report is currently being written and will be submitted shortly; 4) The overview of BMP for shrimp culture in Vietnam compared with other countries facing similar conditions and circumstances has been completed; 5) the inception workshop was organised with 45 participants including project staff and provincial individuals (fisheries offices, extension workers and shrimp farmers) 6) the BMP protocols were developed and commended from shrimp cultured experts, local fisheries officers, extension workers and shrimp farm households through the inception workshop. 7) The project office equipment purchased includes: computers, projector, printer and environmental materials, which were delivered to Extension Department of three project provinces and demonstration farms. 5.2 Smallholder Benefits - The smallholder benefits to date have been through the inception workshops by improving knowledge of BMPs for small-scale shrimp farmers, local fisheries officers and extension workers. - The interviewing of small scale shrimp cultured farmers in project’s provinces to analyse the current status of household aquaculture and identify incentives and constraints for BMPs. - The environmental equipment was provided to Fisheries Extension Department of three provinces and reputable demonstration farm households. 5.3 Capacity Building The inception workshop contributed to capacity building in improved knowledge of BMPs for local fisheries officers, extension workers and also for demonstration shrimp farmers. The project staff’s increased understanding of BMPs has improved through six month working activities such as overview of BMPs, survey on shrimp culture status and development of BMP guideline for households. 5.4 Publicity None to date 5.5 Project Management The project management has been effective. 6 6. Report on Cross-Cutting Issues 6.1 Environment The water quality data was collected before cropping in project areas and demonstration farms in Thua Thien-Hue province. The environment of previous shrimp culture crop was noted and collected by questionnaire in the households interviewed. 6.2 Gender and Social Issues None addressed to date. 7. Implementation & Sustainability Issues 7.1 Issues and Constraints Extended contract negotiations and money arrangement have delayed the implementation of this project. Due to the seasonality of project activities this has caused substantial delays in project activities. Implementing BMPs for shrimp culture demonstration households and communities for full two crops of 2007 and 2008 is expected. While the implementation of the project has been highly successful over the first reporting period, there was a change of Australian technical expert, Mr. Sid Saxby, who withdrew from the project due to personal reasons. This problem was solved by the replacement of Mr. Sid Saxby by Ms. Virginia Mosk. 7.2 Options 7.3 Sustainability 8. Next Critical Steps 1) Organise training workshops on BMPs for fisheries extension workers, demonstration farmers. Monthly meetings to share BMPs application among farmers for 6 shrimp clubs in 3 provinces. 2) Monitor parameters of water environment, shrimp diseases and culture techniques (for the duration of the four month crop in each province). 3) Organise one general training workshop on product quality management for small producers, extension workers, collectors, traders and processors. 4) Organise three cross province study tours for demonstration farmers and extension workers in the three project provinces. 5) Australian Project team to visit Vietnam to evaluate project activities, and support the technology and expertise to improve BMPs protocol. Project team proposes a change that: Activities Original plan Revised plan Visiting of 2 Europe importers to Vietnam October 2007 October 2008 Training of 2 researchers in UWA September 2008 October 2007 7 The changes suggested above have no negative effect on the project outcome, but create more opportunity for 2 project staff to improve their ability to analyze data and better their reporting skills in order to better serve the project. 9. Conclusion The project commenced in August 2006, seven months later than the original proposed plan of January 2006. Progress of this project has been highly satisfactory and all objectives established for the first 6 months have been met or exceeded . 8 . Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development CARD Project Progress Report 002/05/VIE: Technical and economic feasibility of applying the Better Management Practices (BMP) to household. extension officers, BMP guidelines and training manuals and farmer associations will be key participants and factors in the dissemination of outcomes of the demonstration trials and the implementation. lack of knowledge and little incentive or initiative to adopt BMP. The overall objective of this project is to investigate the effectiveness of BMP application to household farms and to develop