Cooperation programs and agricultural rural developmen:" Technical and economic feasibility of applying the Better Management Practices (BMP) to household aquaculture in Vietnam - MS 11 " pdf

Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development

COLLABORATION FOR AGRICULTURE AND
RURAL DEVELOPMENT (CARD)



002/05/VIE project
Technical and economic feasibility of applying the
Better Management Practices (BMP) to household
aquaculture in Vietnam




MS 11: Project completion report



The Research Institute for Aquaculture No 1 (RIA1), Tu Son, Bac Ninh
The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, NEDLANDS WA 6907


Bac Ninh, Mar./2009
Table of Contents

1. Institute Information____________________________________________________3
2. Project Abstract ________________________________________________________4
3. Executive Summary_____________________________________________________4
4. Introduction & Background ______________________________________________5

5. Progress to Date________________________________________________________8
5.1 Implementation Highlights _______________________________________________ 8
5.2 Smallholder benefits: ____________________________________________________ 9
5.3 Capacity Building ______________________________________________________ 10
5.4 Publicity______________________________________________________________ 10
5.5 Project Management____________________________________________________ 11
6. Report on Cross-Cutting Issues __________________________________________11
6.1 Environment __________________________________________________________ 11
6.2 Gender and Social Issues ________________________________________________ 11
7. Implementation & Sustainability Issues____________________________________11
7.1 Issues and Constraints __________________________________________________ 11
7.2 Options_______________________________________________________________ 12
7.3 Sustainability__________________________________________________________ 12
8. Next Critical Steps _____________________________________________________12
9. Conclusion ___________________________________________________________12
10. Statutory Declaration ________________________________________________13

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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

Project completion

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
During two and a haft years (from August 2006 to February 2009), CARD 002/05 VIE project

has finished all activities planned for the project lifetime. The provincial partners at three
provinces of Nghe An, Ha Tinh and Thua Thien Hue were selected in cooperation of project
implementation. In each province, three core demonstration farms in connection with three
shrimp communities (20-30 households in each community) were selected in order to
implement and apply BMP. To assess the current status of socio-economic, technical,
environment and constrain of shrimp households in the project area, a study of initial
assessment was conducted, the results of this study were the sources to compare with the
project results at the end. The overview of BMP in Vietnam and other courtiers in region was
studied, this was a basis to develop a BMP protocol which prepared by project experts with
comments from local officers, extension workers and key shrimp farms. In order to apply the
BMP parameters to shrimp operation, eleven training courses were organized (one course on
general BMP for participation of extension workers, local officers and trial farms, one course
on shrimp product quality management for participation of related attendants and nine courses
for participation of shrimp household at communities). In addition, six cross-visiting were
organized for participation of extension workers, local officers and key shrimp farmers. More
than 100 monthly meeting were organized in project communities for shrimp households to
exchange experiences and improve the BMP knowledge. The partial financial, experts and
field staffs were provided to monitor the pond, environment and diseases management during
culture crops in the two years of 2007 and 2008. Of which, the important issues were to
ensure the free diseases of shrimp seed and checking shrimp disease sample and environment
sample during over crops. Two workshops, namely inception and first year workshops were
organized for participants to discuss and comments on project activities. In order to improve

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capacities for project members, some other activities were organized such as the short trip to
University of Western Australia, the attendant of national workshop of young scientist in
aquaculture at RIA1, the attendant of international ViFINET workshop at Cantho University
and supervision of Bachelor and Master students. The BMP protocols and training materials

were provided to farm households and local officers, extension workers during project
lifetime. A survey to assess the production results of households and project terminal
assessment of environment and adoption rate of BMP of households were conducted after
finishing of second year crops. In addition, the Australian expert group had done six visiting
to Vietnam and project locations in order to assist the Vietnamese group implements the
project as more effectiveness.

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.

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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 centres
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 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

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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 an aqua-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 farm 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 (observations of
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.

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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 aqua-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 at UWA, Perth will be arranged for two RIA1 researchers
involved in the project on data analysis and reporting.
2000 copies of BMP manuals for semi-intensive and improved extensive farming systems
will be developed at the end of the project.
5. Progress to Date
Implementation Highlights
The principal achievements to date have been:
1) Completion of assessment of socio-economic, technical and constraint of shrimp
household in the project area (around 100 shrimp households in 3 project provinces
were surveyed). Completion initial environment assessment of project area before
implementing.
2) Completion of overview of BMP in Vietnam and other countries in the region as a
basis source to prepare a BMP protocol for project. The especially BMP draft use for

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project area was prepared and tested during two years of project implementation in the
region of North Centre Vietnam.
3) Two workshops (inception and first year project close) were organized for attendants
discuss and comments to improve quality of project activities.
4) Eleven training courses were organized, of which, one course on general BMP and
one course on shrimp products management and food safety for attendant of extension
workers, local officers and trial farms and trades; and nine other BMP training courses
for attendant of shrimp household in the project communities (with more than 200
shrimp farmers participating).
5) Six cross-visiting among provinces were organized for attendant of different

participants in order to exchange experiences on BMP implementation into shrimp
operation in different provinces (total of more than 90 participants).
6) More than 100 monthly meetings were successfully organized in project communities
of 3 provinces for attendant of shrimp households to improve the BMP
implementation and application capacities (with more than 1,200 participants).
7) The materials, experts, field staffs and partial financial support were provided to
households to monitor the pond, environment and diseases management during culture
crops in the two years of 2007 and 2008.
8) Project organized successful the short trip of 3 project staffs to visit and work in
University of Western Australia. In this trip, Vietnamese staffs worked together with
Australian experts and well finished all purposes of trip.
9) Project staffs attended and presented the project outcomes at national and international
workshops. Project staffs also supervised Bachelor and Master students to practice
their thesis and they have got very satisfied results
10) The results of production of project shrimp household, the environment of project area
and BMP adoption rate of farmers were assessed after 2 years implementing. The
results were presented in the MS10 report.
11) During two years of project, the Australian experts group was performed five trips to
Vietnam and project area to assist Vietnamese staffs to more effective implementation
of project.
Smallholder benefits:
The most benefit smallholders of this project are the shrimp households in the project area
and project staffs from top to local who directly involve in this project. Shrimp
households were improved the BMP knowledge though the training courses, cross-

9


visiting, monthly meeting and etc, therefore, the effect of shrimp culture investment of
those households was improved (the specific results were presented in MS10 report). In

addition, the BMP household, especially trial farmers were directly benefited from project
though partial support of materials and provided environment equipments from project.
The capacities on management, research, training, etc of project staffs were improved
though out the project activities. Especially, extension workers were approached the new
training methods (TOTs and parallel of theory and practice). The Extension Centres of
project provinces were benefit from project though provided environment equipments and
its staffs capacities were also improved by implement project activities. The project
communes were benefit from project such as improvement of aqua-clubs/associations
system. In addition, project provided environment test-kits and partial financial support
for operation of communities. Finally, the institutional staffs (RIA1, NAFIQUAVED)
capacities were improved in term of group working, management and research skills
though project activities that trainings, study tour and directly work with Australian
experts.

Capacity Building
Project contributed to improve capacities for different stakeholders of different levels:
• At central level, the RIA1s’ staffs, who directly involve in the project (both managers
and technical experts), were improved capacity in both management and research.
• At provincial level, the extension staffs in three provinces, who worked for project
were improved the BMP implementation capacities and they were approached the
BMP knowledge thought management, technical transferring and training activities
• At local level, communities’ officers, aquaculture communities’ managers and shrimp
households, who are in the project area, were improved the capacities of BMP
implementation. Of which, the more important issue is the capacities to manage and
operate the aquaculture clubs/associations were improved in order to development of
shrimp culture as effective and sustainable.

Publicity
The related information and the outcomes of project were published thought different
sources as:

• The results of the general BMP training course were published in the Thua Thien-
Hue newspaper.
• The BMP practical process was broadcasted in the Ha Tinh television program

10


• The project information and project results were published in the newsletter and
the website of RIA1 and the website of CARD.
• The project outcomes were presented though international ViFINET workshop at
Cantho University and national young scientist workshop at RAI1
• The BMP training materials and BMP protocols were delivered to local offices and
households in project provinces.
Project Management
The project management has been effective.

6. Report on Cross-Cutting Issues
Environment
• The initial environment of water quality and sediment of project sites was assessed
before implementing project (as a part of Baseline report - MS3)
• During 2 years of project lifetime, the data on water quality, shrimp diseases, and
shrimp product quality of trial farms in shrimp communities of project area were
monitored, collected, analysed and reported (as a part of trial farms assessment report -
MS8)
• The terminal environment of water quality and sediment of project sites was assessed
after implementing project (as a part of project validation report - MS10).

Gender and Social Issues
• Female participants were given preference to attend the project activities such as
training, cross visiting and association meetings. However, the percentage of females

who attended was unfortunately low.
• Two female students (Bachelor and Master) were given preference to practice the
thesis in project scope. These female students received a very good result of their
thesis.

7. Implementation & Sustainability Issues
Issues and Constraints
During project lifetime, there were some constrains, however this were not significant
negative effect to the project, specific that:

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• 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 was
implemented.
• 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.
• The Ministry of Fisheries was reformed by combination with MARD in 2008, this was
caused of some changes at provincial level. However, this was not much effect to the
project due to unchanged of project personnel at provincial and local levels.
• The shrimp households were negative effect by natural disaster such as the Storm
Number 5 in Ha Tinh and Nghe An and flood in Thua Thien Hue in 2007 . The white
sport disease outbreak in Vietnam in 2007 and 2008 was also negative effect to shrimp
farms in project sites. In addition, in 2008, financial crisis and increasing in input
materials price, especially shrimp feed price was negative effect on shrimp culture in

Vietnam, in general and in project area, in particular.

Options
None to date
Sustainability
No major issues

8. Next Critical Steps
1) Organizing the final workshop which will be organized in April/2009
2) Attending the BMP workshop which will be organized by CARD in July/2009.
3) Seeking opportunities to popularize the project outcomes though workshops,
magazines, journals, etc.

9. Conclusion
The CARD 002/05 VIE has been highly satisfactory and almost all objectives of this project
have been met or exceeded. There are good results of the project because of a high
cooperation among project parties and stakeholders and enthusiasm of shrimp households to
implement and apply the BMP.

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10. Statutory Declaration
STATUTORY DECLARATION

COLLABORATION FOR AGRICULTURE AND RURAL
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

CARD Project Title: Technical and economic feasibility of applying the Better Management
Practices (BMP) to household aquaculture in Vietnam

CARD Project Number: 002/05/VIE

We, the undersigned, hereby declare that during the period August/2006 to February/2009,
delivered the following inputs to assist in implementation of the above project.

1: PERSONNEL INPUTS

Australian Personnel
Provided (Name)
Days in
Vietnam
Days in
Australia
Trips to
Vietnam
Steven Schilizzi 2 10 1
Elizabeth Peterson 3 32 2
Virginia Mosk 12 20 2
Total 17 62 5

Vietnamese Personnel
Provided
Days in
Vietnam
Le Xan
96
Nguyen Xuan Suc
493
Tran Long Phuong
482

Nguyen Van Quyen
110
Mai Van Ha
117
Le Van Khoa
102
Đinh Van Thanh
115
Vu Van In 25
Bui Kien Cuong 20
Luu Quang Can
202
Nguyen Minh Duc
213
Pham Ngoc Hung
208
Total 2.183




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Project Progress Against Proposed Objectives, Outputs, Activities And Inputs
Project Title: Technical and economic feasibility of applying the Better Management Practices (BMP) to household aquaculture in Vietnam
Vietnamese Implementing Institution: Research Institute for Aquaculture No. 1

PROPOSAL PROGRESS REPORT Narrative
Information Required Performance Measures Assumptions Information Required
1) Assessing current status of shrimp
households operation and find out
advantages and disadvantages of BMP
application

1a) Study on BMP overview of in
country and other countries in the
region and over the world.
1b) Questionnaire design to survey
of current status, survey around 100
small-scale shrimp households
1c) Assessment of initial
environment (water quality) of the
project sites before implementing
activities.
1a) Believable collected BMP
information and documents,
especially note the countries that
similar with Vietnam
1b) Random selection of
surveyed households
1c) Ensure the environment of
project area suitable for BMP
implementation.

1a) BMP overview
study report.

1b) Assessment of
shrimp households
operation report.
1c) Assessment initial
of water environment
of project area report.

OBJECTIVES

2) Developing suitable BMP protocols
for project area and BMP applying to
aquaculture households and
communities scales in North Centre
Vietnam

2a) Preparation of suitable BMP
protocols for North Centre
provinces, where project
implementation
2b) Application of BMP protocols
into BMP trial farms and local
communities.
2c) Organizing BMP training
courses (9), cross-visiting (6),
monthly meeting at communes
(more than 50)
2b) Comments for BMP
protocols from local staffs and
key farmers in the project area.
2b) Trial farms and communities

of project are suitable with
project criterions.
2c) Selection of suitable persons
for training, cross-visiting and
meetings.

2a) The first draft of
BMP protocol.
2b) List of 9 core trial
farms in connect with 9
communities in 3
project provinces.
2c) Brief BMP training
courses, cross-visiting,
and meetings reports.


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3) Testing BMP application
parameters at household and
community levels

3a) BMP technical and community based
parameters applying into shrimp farms
and communities in the project

provinces.
3b) Monitoring, recording all data of
techniques, socio-economic and
environment of trial farms and
communities during implementing BMP
protocols.
3a) The parameters of BMP
protocols are suitable to shrimp
operation of project area.
3b) Extension workers, local
officers, trial farms are trained on
data collection and recording

3a) Report of
assessment of socio-
economic, technical
and environment of
core trial farms.
3b) Report of progress
of project
implementation of
provinces

OBJECTIVES

4) Improving capacity of
implementation and application of
BMP for different stakeholders of
different levels of central,
provincial and local.

4a) Capacities of project staff at central
level are improving though activities that
project management, training, short trip
to UWA, attendant of national and
international and student supervision.
4b) Capacities of provincial staffs
(managers and extension workers) are
improving though activities that BMP
training courses, workshops, cross-
visiting, train farmers and monitoring the
technical, environment, diseases and
communities based management
4b) Capacities of local staffs and farmers
are improving though activities that
BMP training courses, workshops, cross-
visiting, communities based
management, BMP application, data
collection and recording.
4a) Base on the responsibility and
role in the project (managers,
experts) to arrange the suitable
activities.
4b) Selection of suitable staffs to
undertake suitable place at
province level (managers,
supervisors, field-staffs)
4c) Local officers, trial farms and
shrimp households satisfy the
project criterion.

4a) Report of
competency assessment
of related persons and
parties from top to
local.
4b) Report of training,
workshops, cross-
visiting programmers
4c) BMP materials
providing to local staffs
and shrimp farmers.


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1) Improved knowledge on status of
BPM application in country, regional
and international and find out the
current status of technical, socio-
economic, environment and constrains
of shrimp households in North Centre
region.
1) Collected information, data were
the basis sources for project staffs
and experts draft the specific BMP
protocols for project sites

1) Information data of BMP
overview were collected from
different sources. The surveyed
households were delegated for
the shrimp farms in the project
area.
1) Available data,
information on BMP in
international, regional
and Vietnam; the
current status data of
shrimp farms (100
farms); initial
environment data.
2) To ensure BMP protocols is suitable
and applicable to the project area to
improve the production effect in term
of technical, social, economic and
environmental.
2) BMP protocols were pilot
application into trials farms and
communities in the first year. The
results were assessed and widely
application into larger areas during
the second year.
2a) The trial farms met the
project requirements and
delegated for the communities.
2b) Project communities were
delegated for over project area.

2a) BMP protocols
were completed;
2b) Nine trial farms in
connected with nine
communities were
selected in North
Centre Vietnam
3) Indicators of culture techniques,
environment, economic and social were
collected during implementation of
BMP.
3) The results on economic,
environment, technical and social
of BMP application will be used by
researchers and policy makers to
decide the scale of BMP
application in the future.
3) Collected data may not
delegated for other regions due to
the particular conditions of North
Centre region
3) The results of
collected information,
data during BMP
application were
presented in the
different specific
reports.

OUTPUTS

4) The capacities of BMP
implementation and application of
different project stakeholders such as
researchers, extension workers,
managers and shrimp farms were
improved.
4) Though the project activities that
workshops, trainings, cross-
visiting, study tour, meeting, data
collection, etc were opportunities to
improve of capacities for related
stakeholders.
4a) The staffs who implemented
project come from different
sources, therefore the ability to
implement and receive BMP may
be differences.
4b) The conditions of trials and
communities were not
homogenous.
4) Two workshops,
eleven BMP trainings,
6 cross-visiting and
more than 100 meeting
were organised. Many
other activities were
attended by project
staffs.

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1. Making/designing the detail of project activities
in short and long run (Aug./2006).
1. Project coordinator make/design the project plan for
activities
2. Studying BMP overview, households survey
and initial environment assessment (Sep
Nov./2006)
2. Collection of information for BMP overview; design
questionnaire; survey about 100 shrimp farms; collect
sample of environment.
3. Selecting local partners, local staffs, local
officers, trial farms, communities to implement
project (Dec./2006-Jan./2007)
3. Project managers discuss with local partners to collect 3
field staffs, 9 trial farms in connect to 9 shrimp
communities.
4. Preparing the draff of BMP protocols for
shrimp households in the project area (Sep
Nov./2006)
4. Project experts prepare the BMP protocols then receive
comments from local staffs and key farms.
5. Analysing data, reporting BMP overview and
assessing socio-economic, technical, environment
of shrimp households at initial phase (Oct./2006-

Jan./2007)
5. BMP overview report; current status of shrimp culture
of households report; environment assessment report were
completed.
6. Organizing the inception project workshop
(Jan./2007)
6. The inception workshop in Nghe An for participating of
project staffs, provincial staffs, local staffs and trial farms
(45 participants) was organised
7. Preparing the BMP training materials, shrimp
record book (Dec./2006-Mar./2007)
7. Training materials of different topics and shrimp diary
record book were prepared.
8. Organizing general BMP training course for
different stakeholders participating (Mar./2007)
8. Selection of 48 trainees to participate the general BMP
training course. Participants that are technical staffs,
extension workers, local managers and trial farms. This
workshop was conducted in TT-Hue in 3 days.

ACTIVITIES
9. Providing office and environment equipments
(Jan Mar./2007 and Feb./2008).
9. Office and environment equipments were purchased and
provided to project, provinces and trial farms.

18

10. Checking seed quality for shrimp household in
the project sites (Jan Mar./2007 and Jan
Mar./2008)
10. Shrimp seed quality of 9 trials farms and households
in 9 communities was checked by PCR.
11. Organising the monthly meeting for
households in communities exchange experiences
on shrimp culture (Feb Aug./2007 and 2008).
11. Fifty two monthly meetings were organized in
communities for households to exchange shrimp culture
experiences during crops.
12. Organising the cross-visiting for staffs and
households participating (Jun./2007 and 2008)
12. Six cross-visiting for 90 participants to learn and
exchange experiences of shrimp culture techniques,
community based management skills were organized.
13. Selecting the data of environment and diseases
of trial farms and communities during crops (Feb
Aug./2007 and 2008)

13. Trial farms were provided environment test kits to
monitor environment indicators during crops. Provincial
Extension Dept. was provided environment equipment to
monitor and warning to households and communities in
term of environment conditions.
14. Recording all of related information and data
of shrimp crops of trial farms (Jan Aug./2007 and
2008)

14. Trial farms was provided “shrimp diary record book”
to record all information, data over shrimp culture crops
(technical, environment, economic data - all of input to
output information and data)
15. Testing shrimp product quality and food safety
of shrimp product of trial farms (Jun Jul./2007
and 2008).
15. Cooperation with NAFIQUAVED branch 1&2 to test
shrimp product quality samples of 9 core trials. The
product quality tested indicators follow the EU standards
16. Organizing the training course of aquaculture
product quality management and food safety
(Jul./2007).
16. Successful to organize the workshop on product
quality management and food safety for attending of 40
participants.

ACTIVITIES
18. Organizing the study tour for project staff to
UWA (Dec./2007)
18. A study tour of 10 days to UWA for three project staffs
was organized.

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19. Organising the project workshop after one
year implementation (Jan 2008)

19. First year project close workshop was organized for
attending of 52 participants that are project staffs, project
experts, provincial, district, commune officers, extension
workers, key farms.
20. Organizing the BMP training courses for
households in the communities (Jan Mar./2008)
20. Nine BMP training courses were organised in 3
provinces run by extension workers for the attending of
shrimp households in communities.
21. Analysing and reporting of assessment of
socio-economic, technical and environment of
project trial farms (Jan Mar./2008)
21. Assessment of technical, social, economic and
environment of trial farms report was completed.
22. Selecting students and preparing methods to
supervise student to practice thesis (2007 and
2008)
22. Two students (Bachelor and Master) were supervised
to practice their theses. They had received very good
results.
23. Preparing presentation and attending national
and international science workshops (Nov
Dec./2008)
23. Presentation of project outcomes were presented in
international ViFINET workshop at Cantho Uni, and
young scientist workshop at RIA1
24. Assessing competency of project stakeholders
of different levels from top to local (Nov./2008)
24. Report of project staffs competency assessment was
completed.

25. Preparing questionnaires and conducting
survey of BMP and non-BMP farmers and
assessing BMP adoption rate of shrimp farms
(Nov Dec./2008)
25. Design questionnaires and survey of 120 shrimp
households to assess the project effect in term of technical,
economic and social and related issues and BMP adoption
rate of trials and BMP farms
26. Assessing the terminal environment of project
sites after implementing project (Oct Dec./2008)
26. Completion of collection, analysing, and reporting the
terminal environment samples after implementing project.
27. Reporting the project validation on technical,
socio-economic, environment of BMP and non-
BMP farms and BMP adoption rate of farms
(Dec./2008 and Jan Feb./2009)
27. Completion of report of assessment of project
validation in term of technical, economic, social and
environment impacts and the BMP adoption rate of shrimp
households.

ACTIVITIES
28. Reporting the project completion (Feb./2009) 28. Project completion report was completed

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INPUTS
Personnel:

Days of working (Australia)
Days of working (Vietnam)
Equipment & material:
Digital computer projector
Laptop
Desktop and printer
DO meter
Test-kit
Materials
Workshop & training:
Inception workshop
First year review workshop
Final workshop
BMP training course for extension staffs and trials
Aqua-club meeting
Cross-visit
Product quality and food safety training course
BMP training courses for communities

- Total budget AusAID support for Vietnamese
Institution.
-Total budget was delivered to Vietnamese
Institution (up to 4 Mar. 2009)
-Remaining budget to be delivered to
Vietnamese Institution

Personnel:
Australian team: 79 days
Vietnamese team: 2.183 days
Equipment & material:

01 digital computer projector
01 laptop
01 set of desktop and printer
03 sets of DO meter
18 sets of environment test-kit
Materials: seed, feed, bio-product, etc
Workshop & training:
01 inception workshop
01 first year review workshop
01 final workshop
01 BMP training course for extension staffs and trials
108 aqua-club/association meetings
06 cross-visits
01 product quality and food safety training course
09 BMP training courses for communities

- Total budget that AusAID support for Vietnamese
Institution: 243,923 AUD
-Total budget was delivered to Vietnamese Institution
(up to 4 Mar. 2009): 163,030 AUD
-Remaining budget to be delivered to Vietnamese
Institution: 80,893 AUD
21




BRIEF TRAINING REPORT

I. TRAINING COURSE ON BMP FOR EXTENSION STAFFS, LOCAL

OFFICERS AND TRIAL FARMS
1. Location:
Hue city, Thua Thien-Hue province
2. Time:
March 10 -12, 2007
3. Purpose:
To provide the knowledge on BMP in shrimp aquaculture for local extension
workers, fisheries officers and shrimp culture farmers in 3 project’s provinces.
4. Participants:
Lecturers:
1. Dr Nguyen Van Quyen (shrimp culture techniques)
2. Dr Le Van Khoa (Fisheries disease management)
3. MSc Nguyen Xuan Suc (Management and development of communities)
4. MSc Mai Van Ha (Fisheries environment management)
Trainees:
o 15 provincial extension workers
o 6 district fisheries officers
o 18 commune officers
o 9 demonstration farmers
5. Detail training course:
Time Contents Performance
March 10
7h45 – 8h00 Participant register Project staff
8h00 – 9h45 Lesson 1: Methodologies of community based
management and production planning in shrimp
culture
Nguyen Xuan Suc
9h45 – 10h00 Tea break
10h00 – 11h30 Group discussion Nguyen Xuan Suc
11h30 – 13h30 Lunch time

13h30 – 15h00 Lesson 2: Techniques of shrimp aquaculture for
semi-intensive and improved extensive
Nguyen Van Quyen
15h00 – 15h15 Tea break
15h15 – 17h00 Group discussion Nguyen Van Quyen
March 11
8h00 – 9h45 Lesson 3: Methodologies of environmental Mai Van Ha

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management in shrimp culture
9h45 – 10h00 Tea break
10h00 – 11h30 Group discussion Mai Van Ha
11h30 – 13h30 Lunch time
13h30 – 15h00 Lesson 4: Methodologies of epidemic disease
management in shrimp culture
Le Van Khoa
15h00 – 15h15 Tea break
15h15 – 17h00 Group discussion Le Van Khoa
March 12
8h00 – 16h30 Field trip to practice in Vinh Hung commune,
Thua Thien-Hue province
Project staff and
lecturers
16h30 – 17h00 Closing ceremony Nguyen Xuan Suc

II. TRAINING COURSE ON FOOD SAFETY AND FISHERIES
VETERINARY

1. Location:
Ha Tinh city, Ha Tinh province
2. Time:
July 25-29, 2007
3. Purpose:
Providing the knowledge on food safety in shrimp culturing, harvesting, post-harvest
for local extension workers, fisheries officers and shrimp culture farmers and traders
in 3 projects’ provinces.
4. Participants:
o 5 project staff and lecturer
o 11 provincial extension workers
o 12 commune officers
o 9 demonstration farmers
o 8 shrimp traders
5. Detail program:
Time Content Performance
July 25
7h30 – 8h00 Participant register Project staff
8h00 – 8h15 Opening ceremony Project coordinator
8h15 – 9h45
Lesson 1: Notions and base issues on food
safety management in fisheries
Vu Van In

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9h45 – 10h00 Tea break
10h – 11h30
Lesson 1: Notions and base issues on food

safety management in fisheries (cont.)
Vu Van In
11h30 – 13h30 Lunch time
13h30 – 15h00 Group discussion for lesson 1
Vu Van In,
trainees
15h00 – 15h15 Tea break
15h15- 17h00
Lesson 2: Hazard and methods of fisheries
hazard identification
Vu Van In
July 26
8h00 – 9h45
Lesson 2: Hazard and methods of fisheries
hazard identification (cont.)
Vu Van In
9h45 – 10h00 Tea break
10h00 – 11h30 Group discussion for lesson 2
Vu Van In,
trainees
11h30 – 13h30 Lunch time
13h30 – 15h00
Lesson 3: Unsafety hazard control during
shrimp culture and harvest time
Vu Van In
15h00 – 15h15 Tea break
15h15 – 17h00
Lesson 3: Unsafety hazard control during
shrimp culture and harvest time (cont.)
Vu Van In

July 27
8h00 – 9h45 Group discussion for lesson 3
Vu Van In,
trainees
9h45 – 10h00 Tea break
10h00 – 11h30
Lesson 4: Unsafety hazard control during
shrimp harvest, post-harvest and transportation
time according to HACCP

Vu Van In
11h30 – 13h30 Lunch
13h30 – 15h00
Lesson 4: Unsafety hazard control during
shrimp harvest, post-harvest and transportation
time according to HACCP (cont.)
Vu Van In
15h00 – 15h15 Tea break
15h15 – 17h00 Group discussion for lesson 4
Vu Van In,
trainees
July 28
8h00 – 9h45 Lesson 5: Shrimp quality change after dead Vu Van In
9h45 – 10h00 Tea break

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10h00 – 11h30
Lesson 5: Shrimp quality change after dead

(cont.)
Vu Van In
11h30 – 13h30 Lunch time
13h30 – 15h00 Group discussion for lesson 5
Vu Van In,
trainees
15h00 – 15h15 Tea break
15h15 – 17h00 Group discussion for lesson 5 (cont.)
Vu Van In,
trainees
July 27
8h00 – 9h45
Lesson 6: Guideline practice on post-harvest,
pre-process and transportation of shrimp
Vu Van In
9h45 – 10h00 Tea break
10h00 – 11h30
Lesson 6: Guideline practice on post-harvest,
pre-process and transportation of shrimp (cont.)
Vu Van In
11h30 – 13h30 Lunch time
13h30 – 15h00
Group discussion: Plan making for post-harvest,
pre-process and transportation of shrimp
Vu Van In,
trainees
15h00 – 15h15 Tea break
15h15 – 17h00 Group discussion (cont.)
Vu Van In,
trainees

17h00 – 17h15 Closing ceremony Project coordinator

III. CROSS VISITING PROGRAM
1. Location:
Thach Ha commune-Ha Tinh province; Hung Hoa commune-Nghe An province;
Vinh Hung commune-Thua Thien Hue province
2. Time:
During crops of 2007 & 2008. There are six trips were organized
3. Purpose:
Exchange information, shrimp culture and management experience for local
extension workers, fisheries officers and farmers in 3 project’s provinces.
4. Participants:
o Project staffs
o Provincial extension workers
o District fisheries officers
o Commune officers
o Demonstration farmers

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