Báo cáo khoa học nông nghiệp " Technical and economic feasibility of applying the Better Management Practices (BMP) to household aquaculture in Vietnam " MS4 docx

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

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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:

or


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:

or



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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.


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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

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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

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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.


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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.

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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

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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
.


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