Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development Collaboration for Agriculture & Rural Development (CARD) 027/05VIE Development of clam culture for improvement and diversification of livelihoods of the poor coastal communities in Central Vietnam MS04: 4 th Six-Monthly Report November 2007 to April 2008 1 2 Table of Contents 1. Institute Information 5 2. Contact Officer(s) 5 3. Project Abstract 6 4. Executive Summary 6 3. Project Implementation Progress 7 3.1. Key Highlights 7 3.2. Key outcome 7 4. Introduction & Background 7 4.1. Specific objectives 8 4.2. Outputs 8 5. Progress to Date 8 Implementation Highlights 8 5.1.1 Workshop to formalise the collaboration for ‘on farm’ trials 8 5.1.2 Expression of interest and feedback from farmers 17 5.1.3.Study tour 19 5. 2 Revised experiment on larval rearing. 23 5.2.1. Experiment 1: 23 Method 23 5.2.2 Experiment 2 26 5.2.3 Experiment 3 28 5.2.4 Discussion and conclusion 30 5.3 Propagation of the technologies (on farm trials level) 31 5.4 Smallholder Benefits 31 5.4.1 Opportunity to utilize the brackish water ponds for clam production 31 5.4.2 Increasing in production and benefit from clam culture in the intertidal areas32 5.5.3 Easily Applicable Farming Knowledge 32 5.4.4 Low Investment Risk 32 5.4.5 Maximizing Commercial Potential through Knowledge 32 5.5.Capacity Building 33 5.5.1. ARSINC 33 5.5.2. End-users 34 5.5.3. Enhanced reputation and relation ship with other institutions and collaborators 34 5.6. Publicity 34 5.7. Project Management 34 6. Report on Cross-Cutting Issues 34 6.1.Environment 34 6.2.Gender and Social Issues 34 7. Implementation & Sustainability Issues 35 7.1. Issues and Constraints 35 7.2.Options 35 7.3.Sustainability 35 3 8. Next Critical Steps 35 9. Conclusion 35 10. Statutory Declaration 35 4 1. Institute Information Project Name Development of clam culture for improvement and diversification of livelihoods of the poor coastal communities in Central Vietnam. (Project No: 027/05VIE) Vietnamese Institution Aquaculture Research Sub-Institution for North Central (ARSINC) Vietnamese Project Team Leader Mr. Chu Chi Thiet (Project Director) Ms. Le Thi Tinh (Project Manager) Australian Organisation South Australian Research and Development Institution (SARDI) Australian Personnel Dr Martin S Kumar (Team Leader) Dr Bennan Chen (Senior Scientist) Date commenced February 2006 Completion date (original) February 2009 Completion date (revised) Reporting period November 2007, April 2008 2. Contact Officer(s) In Australia: Team Leader Name: Dr Martin Kumar Telephone: 08 82075 400 Position: Principal Scientist, and Program Leader, Integrated Biosystems Integrated Resource Management and Biotechnology Fax: 08 82075481 Organisation South Australian Research and Development Institution (SARDI) Email: kumar.martin@saugov. sa.gov.au In Australia: Administrative contact Name: Telephone: Position: Fax: Organisation Email: In Vietnam Name: Chu Chi Thiet Telephone: +84.383829884 Position: Director Fax: +84.383829378 Organisation Aquaculture Research Institute for North-Central Email: arsinc_ria1@vnn.vn 5 3. Project Abstract Last sixmont 4. Executive Summary The. The main objective of the project is to develop and extend the clam culture technology (hatchery and husbandry) to sustain livelihoods of poor coastal farmers in the North Central provinces and to develop a strategy which contributes to sustainable aquatic environment management using clam aquaculture to improve prawn farm effluent utilisation. In the last six months, the focus of the project implementation is concentrated in the following two aspects. (1) Preparing and facilitating the agreements between the stakeholders and research institutions in order to undertake ‘on farm’ trials. (2) A revised experiment on larval rearing was conducted to fine tune the larval rearing technique. Details of these activities are reported in this report. A hatchery manual was prepared and submitted The preparation for the coordinating the ‘on farm’ trials included, a major workshop and study tour. The detail of the workshop and study tour is included in this report. Agreements with stakeholders were completed and the work associated with ‘on farm’ trials will start from May 2008 6 3. Project Implementation Progress 3.1. Key Highlights Project progressed well in accordance with specified milestone. The focus of the project during the last six months was to prepare the farmers and associated partners to participate in the on farm trials and fine tuning the larval rearing technique. Key activities include: - Workshop on farmer participated on farm trials. - Development of operational protocol for on farm trails - Production of required number of spats: experiments on fine tuning clam larval rearing and spat in hatchery - Extension and trainings including in country study tour 3.2. Key outcome The workshop was well received by the farmers, extension department and local government officials and others who are associated with clam farming. The farmers, expressed interest on participating in demonstration trials to be conducted in six provinces. Based on the selection criteria, 6 farmers from each province have been selected for the demonstration. A total of 36 lead farmers were selected for the trials which would start in the month of May 2008. There two larval rearing experiments are currently being conducted to fine tune and enhance the survival rate of clam larvae. The spat production results were encouraging. The details are included in this report. A successful study tour was undertaken to understand the natural nursery areas (These areas are known to be clam breeding and spawning locations) of clam and wiled spat collection centers. A workshop was conducted to introduce the farmers in pond culture practice. Traditionally these farmers are collecting spats from wild and culturing the clam in inertial areas. A formal agreement with local extension departments, farmers and ARSINC were finalized during this trip. 4. Introduction & Background The main objective is to develop and extend the clam culture technology (hatchery and husbandry) to sustain livelihoods of poor coastal farmers in the North Central provinces; and to develop a strategy which contributes to sustainable aquatic environment management using clam aquaculture to improve prawn farm effluent utilisation. The aims of the proposed project are: a) to provide poor fisher community an alternative income, food security; b) to improve technological and extension capacity for the stakeholders; and 7 c) to reduce negative impacts of shrimp culture through implementation of a strategy for environmental management and waste utilisation of existing resources. 4.1. Specific objectives The objectives of this project (027/05VIE) include the following: • to develop and extend the clam culture technology (hatchery and husbandry); • to sustain livelihoods of poor coastal farmers in the North Central provinces; and • to develop a strategy which contributes to sustainable aquatic environment management using clam aquaculture to improve prawn farm effluent utilization. 4.2. Outputs In accordance with expected output proposed, the last six months were focused on following aspects related on the following - Workshops conducted on farmer participated on farm trials. - Developed operational protocol and agreements with farmers and local extension department for on farm trails - Produced and supplied required number of spats - Completed the experiments on fine tuning clam larval rearing and spat in hatchery - Undertaken extension and trainings including in country study tour The visits by Australian Project Leader in November 2008 and April 2009 facilitated • Selection farmers for on farm trials • Conducting the workshop with stakeholders for transfer of technology • Initiating the on farm clam production trials • Establishing new clam hatcheries • Evaluating the results revised larval rearing 5. Progress to Date Implementation Highlights 5.1.1 Workshop to formalise the collaboration for ‘on farm’ trials. In order to formalise the farmer participated on farm trials, a workshop was held at Giao Te Hotel in Cua Lo Town, Nghe An Province from 28-28 March 2008. Objective of the workshop was to formally introduce the clam production technology and explain the operational procedure for on farm trials. Participants of the workshop included Leader of the project from Australia and Project team from ARSINC, provincial 8 officers from local fisheries department, and farmers who interested in participating clam culture from 6 North Centre provinces. The content of workshop: a. Introduction of the workshop: i. Purpose of the workshop ii. Expected out of this workshop b. Introduction of the project and requirements for on-farm trials i. Introduction of project ii. Structure of farmer participated trial iii. Role of farmer iv. Role of ARSINC and collaborator v. Farmer selection criteria vi. Operational protocol vii. Reporting requirements viii. Feed back opportunity c. Technical lectures i. Inter tidal clam culture 1. site and seed selection and stocking size and density 2. monitoring ii. Pond clam culture 1. site and seed selection 2. stocking size and density 3. monitoring 4. pond and water management iii. Rotational culture of clam in prawn ponds 1. stocking size and density 2. monitoring 3. Pond management iv. Data collection 1. structure of data sheet 2. parameters collected 3. frequency of data collection v. culture techniques, husbandry guideline, data collection forms d. Discussions: Participants e. Program for on-farm trials f. Closing session Key presentation following: 1. Introduction of the workshop 9 2. Presentation of Introduction of the project and requirements for on-farm trials 10 [...]... the Workshop Dr Martin S Kumar is introducing to the participants about the requirements for on farm trial 18 Mr Nhu Van Can, Director of Project is introducing about the project as well as of the workshop Participants are attending the workshop; they are interested in clam culture in pond 5.1.3.Study tour The study tour was conducted as part of the training programs for demonstration of the clam culture. .. current of water • If clam were concentrated at the corner of fence, move them to opposite places 16 5.1.2 Expression of interest and feedback from farmers • • • • • Farmers showed keen interest in clam culture in the pond as well as in intertidal areas Farmers felt that clam culture in the pond would allow more poor farmers in coastal village have the opportunity involve in clam culture as one of main livelihoods. .. progressing well in accordance with proposed plan There is no unexpected issues were identified 10 Statutory Declaration 35 STATUTORY DECLARATION COLLABORATION FOR AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM CARD Project Title: - Development of clam culture for improvement and diversification of livelihoods of the poor coastal communities in Central Vietnam CARD Project Number: - 027/05VIE We the undersigned... success of clam culture as alternative crop will provide new opportunity for the famers in to utilise the prawm farm which normaly used only 4 months per year for shrimp culture and thus provide more livehood for the communities in the North Central coast 31 5.4.2 Increasing in production and benefit from clam culture in the intertidal areas The success of intertidal trials provides data base and primary... ARSINC and Project leader from Australia The main issues raised include: • • • • Farmers insisted that the quality and quantity of the seed supply should be managed and controlled by ARSINC The project Manager assured the farmers that ARSINC in collaboration with extension department will ensure the quality and the quality of the seed supplied to the farmers involved in the demonstration The need for. .. primary objective of the project is to develop clam aquaculture using sustainable practice Apart from economic improvement the project also develop strategy for effluent management from prawn farm 6.2.Gender and Social Issues Clam aquaculture in Vietnam, is a family or household activity Women undertake 5060% of the work including husbandry, harvesting and marketing Therefore, aquaculture activities... much a household duty If the proposed project is properly 34 implemented through making relevant information more available and improving the skills of the information deliverers, the results will significantly increase women’s contribution in terms of income and food and therefore their importance and self esteem The Technological and socioeconomic study conducted by project team indicated that farmers... prices for clam due to exploitation by middle men Cooperatives need to play a major role in marketing the clams Study further confirmed that shrimp and clam culture systems are seen as the backbone of the coastal community Clam culture is making more profit than shrimp, due to less capital cost and reduced risk It’s successful expansion will definitely improve the family income and living standards for the. .. technical guideline for clam grows out Appropriate stocking density and stocking size will provide higher productivity, reduce the operation cost and bring in higher benefit 5.5.3 Easily Applicable Farming Knowledge Factors such as stocking density and salinity are within the capabilities of smallholder end-users to monitor and manipulate By focusing upon the research and understanding of the impact of such... point of scientist in ARSINC This training was very useful and will support a lot for scientific reporting as well as for international journal publication 5.5.2 End-users Due to this being the first research phase of the project, several farmers at the experimental site were hired and trained for research activities participation 5.5.3 Enhanced reputation and relation ship with other institutions and . 4 1. Institute Information Project Name Development of clam culture for improvement and diversification of livelihoods of the poor coastal communities in Central Vietnam. (Project No:. objective of the project is to develop and extend the clam culture technology (hatchery and husbandry) to sustain livelihoods of poor coastal farmers in the North Central provinces and to develop. conducted as part of the training programs for demonstration of the clam culture trials by showing the lead farmers the natural nursery areas of clam and the original place where from the clam, Mertrix