Collaboration for Agriculture & Rural Development:" Development of clam culture for improvement and diversification of livelihoods of the poor coastal communities in Central Vietnam - Milestone 14 " pptx

Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development

COLLABORATION FOR AGRICULTURE & RURAL DEVELOPMENT (CARD)

Development of clam culture for improvement and
diversification of livelihoods of the poor coastal communities in
Central Vietnam (027/05VIE)

Project Completion Report
Milestone 14
May 2010


Table of Contents
1

Institute Information ................................................................................................. 4

2

Project Abstract.......................................................................................................... 6

3

Executive summary.................................................................................................... 7

4

Introduction & Background ...................................................................................... 8
4.1 Objectives and Outputs of Project ............................................................................ 8
4.2 Implementation Approach and Strategy ................................................................... 9

4.3 Implementation Methodologies .......................................................................... 10

5

Progress to Date ....................................................................................................... 11
5.1 Implementation highlights .................................................................................. 11
5.1.1
Development of hatchery operation procedure and establishment of
infrastructure. ............................................................................................................ 11
5.1.2
Establishment of new hatcheries and transfer of technology.................... 13
5.1.3
Clam production technology development ............................................... 13
5.1.4
Demonstrations ......................................................................................... 14
5.2 Smallholder benefits ........................................................................................... 17
5.2.1 Opportunity to utilize the brackish water ponds for clam production ............. 17
5.2.2 Increasing in production and benefit from clam culture in the intertidal areas 17
5.2.3 Easily Applicable Farming Knowledge ........................................................... 17
5.2.4 Low Investment Risk ....................................................................................... 17
5.2.5 Maximizing Commercial Potential through Knowledge ................................. 17
5.3 Capacity Building ............................................................................................... 19
5.3.1 ARSINC and provincial staff........................................................................... 19
5.3.2 End-users.......................................................................................................... 19
5.4 Publicity .................................................................................................................. 19
Fig.8.. Project completion workshop December 2009 at Thanh Hoa........................... 20
5.5 Project Management ............................................................................................... 20

6

Report on cross-cutting Issues................................................................................. 21
Environment.................................................................................................................. 21
Gender and Social Issue................................................................................................ 21
Implications on other project ........................................................................................ 21

7

Implementation and Sustainability Issues .............................................................. 22
Issues and Constraints................................................................................................... 22
7.1 Options.................................................................................................................... 22
7.2 Sustainability........................................................................................................... 22

8

Next critical steps ..................................................................................................... 22

9

Conclusion................................................................................................................ 23

10 Statutory Declaration................................................................................................. 23
SARDI....................................................................................................................... 23
ARSINC.................................................................................................................... 24

2


10 APPENDIX A - Project Progress against Proposed Objectives, Outputs, Activities
and Inputs......................................................................................................................... 27
11

Appendix B: Case study cum Demonstration ........................................................ 31

1

Design and data collection of demonstrations........................................................ 31

2

Results ...................................................................................................................... 33
Clam monoculture in canal ........................................................................................... 33
2.1.1
Environmental parameters ........................................................................ 33
2.1.2
Growth and survival parameters ............................................................... 34
2.1.3
Environmental parameters ........................................................................ 37
2.1.4
Growth and survival rates ......................................................................... 38
2.1.5
Clam and prawn production...................................................................... 40
Growth comparison of culturing M. lyrata in polyculture (pond) and monoculture
culture (canal) ............................................................................................................... 40
2.1.6
Environmental parameters ........................................................................ 40
2.1.7
Growth and survival rates ......................................................................... 41

3

Conclusion................................................................................................................ 44

4

Appendix C: Brief if training and workshop .......................................................... 45

5

Appendix D: List of students’ thesis under supervision of ARCINC/SARDI ....... 51

3


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)

Australian Organisation

South Australian Research and Development
Institution (SARDI)

Australian Personnel

Dr Martin S Kumar (Project Leader)

Date commenced

February 2006

Completion date (original)

2009

Completion date (revised)

February 2010

Reporting period

February 2006 - December 2009

Contact Officer(s)
In Australia: Team Leader

Name:

Dr Martin Kumar

Telephone:

08 82075400

Position:

Principal Scientist, and Program
Leader,

Fax:

08 82075481

Email:

kumar.martin@saugov.
sa.gov.au

Integrated Biosystems
Integrated Resource Management
and Biotechnology
Organisation

South Australian Research and
Development Institution (SARDI)

4

In Australia: Administrative contact
Name:

Lindy Macalister

Telephone:

+81 8 8303 7783

Position:

Divisional Finance
Officer

Fax:

+81 8 8303 7975

Email:



Organisation South Australian
Research and
Development Institute

In Vietnam
Name:

Chu Chi Thiet

Telephone:

+84.383829884

Position:

Director

Fax:

+84.383829378

Email:



Organisation Aquaculture Research SubInstitute for North-Central

5


2 Project Abstract
The aim of the project is to provide alternative income and food security by developing
and extending the clam culture technology (hatchery and husbandry) to sustain
livelihoods of poor coastal farmers in the North Central provinces. This project played a
key role in establishing a sustainable clam industry in the coastal area of North central
Vietnam. The extension of the clam culture techniques has made significant impact to
poor coastal communities, by providing alternative livelihoods through clam culture in

ponds and also increased productivity and income in tidal clam culture. This project also
extended much needed technology and infrastructure for artificial seed production by
establishing clam hatcheries. Overall, project achieved the key objectives in the
development of clam production technology and hatchery operational procedures for mass
clam seed production.
The key outcomes in terms of technological development are:
• For the first time in Vietnam, clam (M lyrata) was successfully cultured in ponds.
On farm trials successful.
• Mass production techniques of clam spats developed.
• Clams were successfully reared in canals utilising nutrients from farm effluent.
• Clam and prawn polyculture techniques developed.
• Improved production in intertidal clam culture
Capacity building was one of the key objectives met at different level.
(1) Technical training workshops for provincial technicians and small scale farmers
about clam culture were conducted. Technical training for young Vietnamese
researchers in the use and application of advanced hatchery principles and
techniques in clam culture improvement studies has been carried out in both
Vietnam and Australia.
(2) Successful demonstration of clam production models were conducted at provincial
level
(3) Four new clam hatcheries were established for commercial supply of clam spat
and one R&D facility cum clam hatchery was established at Aquaculture Sub
Institute of North Central (ARSINC),Vietnam.
The following report (Milestone 14, Completion Report 2009) presents the progress made
in completion of all milestones in Schedule 1, Scope of Services, and Annex of Schedule
2 Table of Milestones and in relation to the Objectives described in the Project Logframe
of the Project document. All planned milestones have been completed to the satisfaction
of the CARD Project Management Unit (as judged by payment for all milestones
achieved). The Project Leader Dr Martin Kumar, SARDI and Project Director, Mr Chi
Chu Thiet, Vietnam gratefully acknowledge the support that CARD has provided in

bringing this project to fruition.

6


3 Executive summary
This report presents information on the final outcome of the CARD project,
“Development of clam culture for improvement and diversification of livelihoods of the
poor coastal communities in Central Vietnam(Project No: 027/05VIE)” which was
commenced in April 2006 and completed in December 2009. The goal of the project is
to make significant contribution to Government of Vietnam’s Comprehensive Poverty
Reduction and Growth Strategy (CPRGS), which are aligned with CARD program
strategic framework. Project aims to provide poor fisher community a sustainable
alternative income and food security. The following objectives were set for the Project:
(1) Develop and extend clam hatchery technology using updated marine hatchery facility
for mass production spats (2) Develop and extend grow out technology fitting to different
environmental and ecological conditions (3) evaluate project impact on poor community
in the project area. The Project operated over six provinces, namely Thanh Hoa, Nghe an,
Ha tinh, Quang binh, Quang trij, and Thua thien-Hue. This report outlines the Progress
made in achieving these objectives, and indicates the Milestone reports in which each of
these objectives is discussed in detail. There is no doubt that this Project has achieved all
its aims and, in some aspects, exceeded expectations.
The project had three distinct phases. During the first year, work concentrated on the
technology development through adaptive research in hatchery and husbandry
technology. In the second year, the work focused on farm trials which were conducted
with farmer participation, which fine tuned the technology and facilitated formulation of
production manuals. In the third year, the work concentrated on extension of technology
through expanded through training and farmer participation trials. There was flooding
due cyclone and heavy rain which affected coastal aquaculture in general. This natural
calamity interrupted our on-farm trials in some provinces. However, work was

successfully completed in forth year ( six months extension provided by CARD
administration).
Project impact survey clearly indicated that this project has played a key role in
significantly improving and expanding the clam culture industry within poor coastal
communities of North Central Vietnam. Clam culture practice is rapidly expanding in
others areas of Vietnam. The implementation of this project directly contributed to the
improvement of productivity, income and the creation of additional employment. This
project provided an opportunity to utilize unused coastal land and transformed into a
productive clam culture aquaculture venture. For the first time in Vietnam, the practice of
clam culture in ponds has been successfully introduced under this project. This pond clam
culture is a new concept which is gaining momentum in Vietnam. This type of clam
culture provides a new lease of life for coastal fish farmers who were heavily affected by
the loss of prawn stocks due to disease. The clam culture provides an alternative use for
land and addition income through rotational crops in prawn farms.
Capacity building activities focused on establishing infrastructure activities and training.
Clam seed production from hatcheries started in 2008 from the first government hatchery
established at ARSINC research facility under this CARD project. Since then following
four hatcheries established.
(i) Hoang Thanh Fisheries Seed Production Centre (Thanh Hoa province);
7


(ii) Hai Tuan Fisheries Seed Production Hatchery (Ninh Binh province);
(iii) Van Xuan Fisheries Seed Production Hatchery (HCM City); and
(iv) Aquaculture Research Sub Institute for North Central Vietnam (ARSINC)
A total of 19 staffs have been provided 4998 days working opportunity for different
activities under this project. 12 ARSINC technical officers were trained in clam hatchery
and culture techniques during the period of the project implementation. Six of the twelve
technical officers received training from Australia. Over 200 farmers including 36 farms
participated in the demonstration and received technical training in clam farming.

ARSINC has the capability in designing, operating and managing aspects of both
commercial grow-out and seed production. In addition, communication skills of ARSINC
staff have been improved through training provided in Australia and working with
international experts. On the other hand, 7 students from the University had completed
their B.Sc thesis on clam hatchery production under supervision of ARSINC/SARDI and
2 students from local college had selected for internship program related clam culture
activities in the experiment site. These students successfully defended their thesis and
achieved excellent results.

4 Introduction & Background
The people in Northern Central coastal areas of Vietnam have very little productive land,
and the marine aquatic resources that are an important part of people’s livelihoods in this
area are overexploited. About 80% of the households in coastal communities rely heavily
on income from fishing. Almost all coastal communes rely on fish capture and
associated activities for their livelihoods due to the lack of agricultural land. In recent
times natural marine resources have declined due to over fishing, destruction of
mangroves and construction of large shrimp ponds1. Project aims to provide poor fisher
community a sustainable alternative income and food security.
Bivalve culture is a promising activity as it has a high total value despite a low
production rate. Clam culture is the most profitable activity. However, clam culture has
the disadvantage that it relies mainly on the capture of seed from nature. Seed production
and integration culture systems have been poorly investigated. Currently, farmers are
making total use of a flat tidal zone for clam culture. This project titled “Development of
clam culture for improvement and diversification of livelihoods of the poor coastal
communities in Central Vietnam” was jointly undertaken by Aquaculture Research Sub
Institute for North Central Vietnam (ARSINC) and South Australian Research and
Development Institute (SARDI) had attempted to address the technical issues in
production clam seed for aquaculture and also improve the clam culture technique.
4.1 Objectives and Outputs of Project
Project listed 3 main objectives which were planned to be achieved over the period from

2006 to 2009. These were as follows:
(1) Develop and extend clam hatchery technology using updated marine hatchery facility
for mass production spats
Sustainable Aquaculture for Poverty Alleviation–1 SAPA Publishing house: Agriculture, Hanoi, 2001

8


(2) Develop and extend grow out technology fitting to different environmental and
ecological conditions
(3) evaluate project impact on poor community in the project area.
In summary following are the key outcomes
•
•

•
•
•
•
•
•

Development of Hatchery technology of hard clam (M.lyrata) in the North
Central Vietnam
Development of aquaculture technology of hard clam in pond with 4 differences
modals such as: clam cultured with prawn (polyculture), clam cultured in canals
with prawn farm effluent, clam monoculture in pond and rotational culture with
prawn crop.
Development of improved aquaculture technology of hard clam in intertidal areas
with the difference sizes and densities of clam seed.

Over 200 farmers including 36 farms participated in the demonstration and
received technical training in clam farming.
Four clam commercial hatcheries established
one clam research development facility including clam hatchery established in
ARSINC
19 technical officers were trained in clam hatchery and culture techniques during
the period of the project implementation.
7 students from the University had completed their B.Sc thesis on clam hatchery
production under supervision of ARSINC/SARDI and 2 students from local
college had selected for internship program related clam culture activities in the
experiment site.

Within each objectives there were a series of activities associated with milestones and
expected outputs, and these log frame (Table of Milestones and Project Logframe) and
provided in detail in following section. The adoption rate and project impact details are
provided in the validation report ( Milestone 13).
4.2 Implementation Approach and Strategy
The project had three distinct phases. During the first year work focused on technology
development through adaptive research in hatchery and husbandry technology. In the
second year, the work concentrated on-farm trials, which fine tuned the technology and
facilitated formulation of production manuals. In the third year, work focused on
extension of technology through expanded farmer participation trials and training.
However, due to flooding ( cyclone and heavy rain) the expanded trials were interrupted
in some places which were successfully completed in the fourth year. Project impact was
also assessed during the fourth year.
The stakeholder participatory approach enabled the development not only in enhancing
the capacity of the research institutions but also all other key stakeholders. This approach
was aimed to benefit both rural economical development (by improving stake holder
benefits) and improvement in environmental sustainability. Institutional capacity
building included improving the existing hatchery facilities and establish new hatcheries;

local training for farmers in calm production models and hatchery technology; and

9


overseas training for the staff in the areas of live feed maintenance, data processing and
database management.
4.3 Implementation Methodologies
A detailed implementation method including experimental design was approved by
CARD technical committee and presented in the project proposal. An outline of the
implementation method is presented in this report.
(i)

Hatchery technology development.

Key scientific information required to fill the gap for the development of hatcheries was
obtained though conducting appropriate experiments and trials. The main objective was
to produce M. lyrata seed through artificial propagation. Specific objectives were: to
determine optimum conditions in particular temperature and water quality, optimum feed
requirements; optimum larval density and resettlement density. The hatchery experiment
was carried out at the marine hatchery in Cua lo town, Nghean province. The hatchery
obtained brood stocks from natural waters. The brood stock was held in conditioning
water temperatures to (temperatures which stimulate active gametogenesis) and fed
supplementary algae until their gonads matured. Properly conditioned adults were
stimulated to spawn by subjecting them to a rapid increase in water temperature. The
first year focused on the development of a viable clam hatchery technology for mass
production of clam spats. A hatchery manual was prepared for clam culture.
(ii ) Culture type development:

The main research in pond culture type was concentrated on the suitability of substrate,

optimum stocking density, and stocking size. All experiments were conducted in
triplicate. Water quality parameters, nutrients, biological parameters were also monitored
at regular intervals. Clam growth measurements such as weight (g) and size (mm) will be
recorded fortnightly. A total of 36 farmers (6 farmers from each province) participated in
the on farm trials. The outcome of the second year (from on farm trials) was production
calm models in ponds and intertidal area. Towards the end of 2009 a total of 200 farmers
received clam culture training in ponds and intertidal area. The following clam culture
types were developed.
(a) Clam culture in intertidal area: The Inter tidal area is divided into three zones based
on the tidal influence for clam culture (b) Shrimp and clam polyculture: Simultaneous
culture of prawn and clams was undertaken with a view to generate additional income.
(c) Alternative/rotation crop: Clam culture was under taken after the pawn harvest as a
rotational crop. (d) Clam monoculture ponds (e) Clam culture in canals using prawn farm
effluent.
(iii) Evaluation and analysis: The socio-economic data was collected from the families
involved in the project trials before and after the trials for comparison and impact
assessment was carried out. The results of this investigation was included in the
validation report (Milestone 13) and submitted.

10


5 Progress to Date
Milestones 1-13 reports presented a detailed project progress and were submitted to the
CARD PMU and payments made against the Progress made. Copies of these Reports and
PMU Comments are held in the CARD Office in Vietnam. The present completion report
is listed as Milestone 14 against which a final payment for services will be made.
Comprehensive reports of the outcomes from each Project activity have been recorded in
each Milestone Report, and only broad outcomes in relation to Project Objectives is listed
in this report.

5.1 Implementation highlights
The principal achievements including highlights for the project are provided in this section

5.1.1

Development of hatchery operation procedure and establishment of
infrastructure.

In accordance with the experimental design proposed in the proposal and approved by the
CARD technical committee, hatchery experiments were conducted at ARSINC laboratory
at Cua Lo. Based on the hatchery experiment design the facility of ARSINC’ hatchery had
upgraded for stable production at least 4 marine algal species: Nanochloropsis,
Isochrysis, Tetraselmis and Chaetoceros, which was the major factor, assisted in
successfully conditioning broodstock and spat production. The infrastructure such seas
water supply, filtration systems, larval rearing modules and also the lab for biological and
chemical analysis had also been upgraded. as result a modern hatchery for clam (M.
lyrata) spat production has been established at Aquaculture Research Sub-Institution for
North Central (ARSINC) with all necessary infrastructure facilities. Artificial
conditioning of clam brood stock has been successfully completed. The results showed
that the clam can mature better with sandy bottom. Clam larvae rearing were successfully
carried out in the ARSINC hatchery, which was reported in the MS6 and MS7. Several
successful batches of clam spats were produced using these facilities. At the send of the
second year over 6.5 million spats were produced and supplied to farmers. This hatchery
could be utilised for both commercial production of spat and research and development.
After two years operation, based on the successful larval rearing experience opened the
possibilities for mass production of spats. The technologies in producing spat (such as:
criteria for the selection and establishment of a clam hatchery, live feed production, larval
rearing) have reported in the MS7. The innovative parts in the hatchery are:
(1) Determining the suitable technical parameters at various stages of the larval rearing;
Based on project findings following key technical parameters for rearing clam larva is

recommended.
•

Stocking density: 10 larvae per ml of water

•

Salinity: hard clam M.lyrata can adapt wide vary salinity condition, but the
optimum rang is from 10 to 25 ppt.

•

Exchange water and washing larval : Water in rearing tanks should be changed of
100% volume with every 2 days of frequency. These tanks also cleaned and
11


•

Food and feeding frequency: clam larvae fed a composition of three marine algae:
Isochrysis galbana, Nanochloropsis oculata, Chaetoceros sp, with feed ration at
density of 100.000 cells/ml in every 4 hours a day.

(2) Introduction of tray system during the larval settlement stage and feeding from algal
blooming pond. When larvae become settling stage and metamorphosis stages, they
are moved to tanks (rectangle shape) for culture until they are of sufficient size to
transfer to nursery systems, which is part of the hatchery. This tray system in which
water with feed supplied from blooming pond. The system is not only one of step to
make juvenile acquaintance with natural condition, but is also reducing the cost of
intensive algae production under laboratory condition.

Hatchery experiments were conducted at Aquaculture Research Sub-Institution for North
Central (ARSINC). Based on the success of the experiments, project has developed the
Technical Guidelines for clam hatchery operations (reported in the MS8) titled:
Hatchery protocol for clam (Meretrix lyrata) at Aquaculture Sub-Institute Aquaculture
for North Central

Fig-1 Farmer visit to newly established clam hatchery

12


5.1.2

Establishment of new hatcheries and transfer of technology.

ARSINC has collaborated with some private hatcheries to produce clam spat for
demonstrating and dissemination the technology that developed by ARSINC/SARDI. The
technologies in producing spat (such as: criteria for the selection and establishment of a
clam hatchery, live feed production, larval rearing) had been reported in the MS7. In
collaboration with some private hatcheries, approximately 20 million spats (refer MS10)
of clam had been produced to meet the target of the project’s expected output to supply
for farmer participated grow out trials. Following clam hatcheries were established.
(i) Hoang Thanh Fisheries Seed Production Centre (Thanh Hoa province);
(ii) Hai Tuan Fisheries Seed Production Hatchery (Ninh Binh province);
(iii) Van Xuan Fisheries Seed Production Hatchery (HCM City); and
(iv) Aquaculture Research Sub Institute for North Central Vietnam (ARSINC)
5.1.3

Clam production technology development

Key objectives in this sector were to improve traditional intertidal clam culture ( using
wild clam seed) and introduce new clam culture technique in ponds. Inter tidal areas
were limited and farmers were
finding extremely difficult to
an intertidal area for entering
into clam culture.
Fig.2. showing intertidal clam
culture monitoring.
Special plots were prepared for
conducting trials with a view to
improve clam production in the
intertidal culture model.
Several
prawn
farms
abandoned due to disease
issues
and
unused/unproductive coastal areas which can be converted for aquaculture production.
Development of clam culture technique in ponds had given genuine opportunities for the
farmers to use abandoned aquaculture ponds and other used areas.
Pond production trials were conducted in especially constructed/modified ponds with
view to collect accurate scientific data and also enable the result to relate with
commercial scale production.
Production experiments produced excellent results. Experiment and subsequent trial
results indicated that clam can be successfully cultured in pond systems and further
improvement can be made in clam production from intertidal areas. Following production
models were developed under this project.

13

a. Clam culture in ponds
o Clam culture as rotational crop in prawn farm: successful production of
clam as a rotational crop in prawn farms provided new opportunity for the
farmers to utilise the prawn ponds which normally used only for 4 months
per year for prawn culture.
o Clam culture as single crop in ponds
o Clam and prawn polyculture
b. Improving clam culture productivity in the Intertidal area.
The results also provided suggestions for appropriate stocking density and substrate to
optimal growth and production of clam culture in pond. Based on the success of the
experiments, Project has developed the Technical Production Guidelines (reported in the
MS 11): Production model of clam (Meretrix lyrata) in pond, intertidal and rotational
crop with prawn.
Fig 3. Specially built pond system for the
cal culture experiment
Experiments
were
conducted
using
specially built pond system with replicates.
Based on the experimental outcome
demonstration trials were designed and
conducted in farmer’s ponds.

April
May
June
5.1.4

Demonstrations

On-farm trial started in May 2008. Total
36 farmers participated on demonstration
trials involving 3 models (intertidal
culture, rotational clam and prawn
culture and polyculture with prawn),
divided into 2 periods: there were 24
farmers participated in the initial
demonstration trials in two models of
clam production including pond culture
and inter-tidal clam culture and 12
farmers afterwards participated on
rotational pond clam-shrimp culture
modal. Prawn farming in Central
Vietnam normally occurs in April to
September each year. Clam rotational

Clam culture period

July
August
September
October

Fig. 4 Prawn and
clam culture cycle

November

December
January

Prawn culture period

February
March
14


culture is an alternative crop in prawn farms during October to March and can reach the
appropriate size for the short-term culture. Clams must reach marketable size within the
period available before the start of prawn culture season. The demonstration program was
well supported by ARSIC and Provincial extension staff by providing technical support
and monitoring.
In general, the total average income of clam culture households of both tidal and pond
culture farming was about 129.6 million VND per ha, with a minimum of 32.2 million
VND per ha. and a maximum of 189 million VND per ha. The difference in income
levels in tidal and pond culture groups was significant. The average tidal and pond
culture income is 148.4 and 90.7 million VND/ha respectively. The current CARD
project played an important and essential role in increasing tidal clam productivity and
introduced new calm culture techniques in ponds. The pond culture practice at the initial
stage started after the implementation of this project. The income levels from pond
cultures will further increase as farmers gain more experience in this practice. The
income levels for tidal clam farmers increased from 121.6 to 148.4 million VND per ha.

Fig.5. Clam grading and sorting. Females participation in post harvest and marketing of
clam is dominant.
An additional case study cum demonstration was carried out in Quang Binh for 4 months
with following objectives :

(a) compare the production performances of L lyrata species with other local species
M meretrix ;
(b) clam monoculture in canals using prawn farm effluent; and
(c) compare the productivity of both species by applying polyculture method.
The results of this special demonstrations are described in the appendix B.

15


Higher levels clam production was reported when cultured in canal. In addition to ponds,
canal systems are ideal resource for utilising clam culture.

Fig 6. Clam culture in canal
The results clearly indicated that Meretrix lyrata is better candidate for aquaculture
compared to Meretrix meretrix. Trials also indicated that M. lyrata is also a better
candidate for ployculture with prawn.

Fig.7 Farmer and ARSINC staff recording clam growth during culture demonstration
trials.

16


Clam and prawn ployculture production model increased the income and profitability of
the farmers. The polyculure model also increased productivity of prawns and at the same
time provided additional clam crop. However, the trials also indicated that, clam
productivity could be improved through further investigation. The clam placement in the
upper layer will provide more accessibility to food and also better environmental
conditions for clam culture.

5.2 Smallholder benefits
5.2.1 Opportunity to utilize the brackish water ponds for clam production
The success that clam can survive and grow in pond opens opportunity for farmers to
utilize the brackish water ponds where the shrimp industry recently has been collapsed
due to bad management. In addition, 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.
5.2.2 Increasing in production and benefit from clam culture in the intertidal areas
The success of intertidal trials provides data base and primary knowledge to build a
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.
5.2.3 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 factors on survival and growth of M lyrata and its larvae, the teams
at ARSINC are building the knowledge base for farming practices that can be applied by
smallholders.
5.2.4 Low Investment Risk
The focus on low-cost, reliable production and hatchery techniques and infrastructure
provide for low investment risk to the smallholder and smallholder communities.
5.2.5 Maximizing Commercial Potential through Knowledge
The following table summarizes the implications of the knowledge generated by this
project for the smallholder’s commercial production potential
Table . Technology Implications for M lyrata Commercial Production
Farming
Knowledge
Implications for Commercial Production
Component
Production

Density
• Farmers need to know optimum stocking
density that provide for maximum
productivity per m2 pond area
Substrate
• Farmers need to know which sediment

17


Influent / Effluent /
Polyculture Pond
System

•

•
•

Hatchery

Spat Production
Technology for M
lyrata clam culture

•
•

Hatchery /
Broodstock

Conditioning

Algae feed
composition

Hatchery /
Stocking density
Larvae Rearing survival / growth
rates
Salinity survival /
growth rates

•

•
•
•

Stocking density
Days to Settlement

Breeding /
Spawning

•

Breeding /
Spawning
Inducement
Factors

•

substrate clam can be grown on as this may
affect farmers of different regions where there
is different soil type
An influent pond system may be useful for
water treatment prior to prawn culture use in
places where water quality is not good enough
for prawn culture.
An effluent pond system may be useful for
prawn culture to reduce pollution and enable
more sustainable prawn culture
A combination of both pond systems
(polyculture) would be useful to supplement
farmer income (both prawn and clam) as well
as provide for sustainable aquaculture and/or
bio-remediation of prawn farming areas
Easy to use, low-cost indigenous (developed
by ARSINC) system that can be implemented
on farms or in regional cooperatives
Reduce collection of spats from wild so as to
reduce ecological impact along Vietnam
coastline
Enable hatcheries and regional cooperatives
to culture feedstocks (using pure cultures
from ARSINC and other government
suppliers) for hatcheries to use in their spat
production
Enable farmers to create their own broodstock

Enable regional hatcheries to achieve optimal
larvae rearing productivity
Enable regional hatcheries to achieve optimal
larvae rearing productivity, controlling
salinity if necessary
Enable regional hatcheries to know how many
production cycles can be achieved per season
and how to increase frequency of spat
production
Enable regional hatcheries to know what
factors induce breeding and spawning, that
can be controlled by the hatchery

18


5.3 Capacity Building
5.3.1 ARSINC and provincial staff
In order to build competency following three primary modes were applied.
•

Training and study tour: both overseas and in-country
(1) Overseas training has been provided to a total six staff: (1) four staff
attended the training course on live feed production, data processing,
nutrient and water quality management as well as to see integrated
aquaculture system using waste water and other aquaculture farms using
bio-recirculation system in South Australia; (2) two staff attended the
training course on the statistic data analysis and techniques in writing the
journal article for publication which regarded as weak point of scientists in
ARSINC

(2) Education: There were 2 students from University of Vinh to do their BSc
thesis and 3 students from Aquaculture College No.4 were selected for
their Internship on grow-out production of clam under the supervision of
ARSINC/SARDI:

5.3.2 End-users
•

Training and study tour: Total 170 farmers from 6 provinces attended the training
course/technical workshop during the period of the project from 2007 to 2009.
About 12 farmers attended the study tour to the clam hatchery in Lynhan, Ho Chi
Minh City.

•

Extension: farmers participating in farm trials and demonstrations
engaged as trainers for training programs for other farmers.

•

The workshops were well received by the farmers, extension department and local
government officials and others who are associated with clam farming.

will be

5.4 Publicity
• Research presented at Asian Fisheries Forum in Cochin, India in November, 2007
(Nhu Van Can, Chu Chi Thiet and Martin S Kumar)
The research paper entitled “Effects of stocking biomass on growth, survival and
production of the two sizes of clam Meretrix lyrata cultured in the intertidal areas”.

• Clam ( Meretrix lyrata) hatchery manual (Chu Chi Thiet and Martin S Kumar)
The manual reports collaborative research between the South Australian Research and
Development Institute (SARDI) and Aquaculture Research Sub-Institute for North Centre
(ARSINC). The publication is intended for a wide readership, in particular for farmers,
researchers and students in Vietnam.
• Lecture of clam (Meretrix lyrata) culture technology (Clam culture in pond Clam culture in inter-tidal) for training courses:

19


• Technical guidelines were prepared and presented for participants of the introduction
workshop in March, 2008 (Refer to MS9).
• Workshops conducted: There were three workshops conducted during the project,
with total 200 participants (farmers and staff) benefited. These workshops are:
o Workshop to introduce the primary results of the project on clam hatchery
and clam husbandry work and to discuss the plan for developing
collaboration of on- farm trials was held in Cua lo, Nghe an on 22nd-24th
September, 2007 (Refer to MS 9 & 12).
o Workshop to formalise the collaboration for ‘on farm’ trials was held at
Giao Te Hotel in Cua Lo Town, Nghe An Province from 24 - 28 March
2008 (Refer to MS 9)
o Final workshop was held at Thanh Hoa province from 19-20 December
2009 to summarize the successful results from demonstration trials and to
give technical knowledge to all stakeholders who contribute to the
successful project (the program and the list of participants in Annex 2).

Fig.8.. Project completion workshop December 2009 at Thanh Hoa
5.5 Project Management
Staff movement to different positions was a major challenge for the management team.
However, Dr Martin Kumar, Project Leader, SARDI, Australia regularly interacted with

20


young project team lead by Dr Nhu Van Can, Project Director and Mr Chu Chi Thiet,
Project Manager and guided in difficult situations. Dr Can completed his PhD studies
during the course of the project and in his absence Mr Thiet provided strong local
leadership and support for the implementation of this project. Excellent co-operation is
being found between Provincial Fisheries Extension Department and Provincial
administrative staff and the lead farmers involved. The co-ordination of activities in
each Province was skillfully managed by ARSINC team and Provincial staff, and without
their enthusiastic participation, this project would not have achieved the successes it has.
Each visit to Vietnam by Dr Martin Kumar, Project Leader, and Australia was planned to
coincide with the planning and implementation of new initiatives. A summary of the
outcomes and decisions taken during each visit was prepared by Dr Martin Kumar for
circulation among project staff. This brief provided an on-going record of the discussions
and decisions taken so that there was no dispute about what has been planned. All
milestone reports were submitted except milestone 14 (this final report). The CARD
PMU has efficiently managed the review and approval of Project milestones, and monies
have been issued in a timely manner. Mr Keith Milligan, Mr Nguyen Van Kien, Nguyen
Ha Hue, Mrs Nguyen Thi Khoa have all provided good support for the Project team, and
we are grateful to them for their understanding and advice over the past 3.5 years.

6 Report on cross-cutting Issues
Environment
The technical procedure developed under this project is environmentally sustainable. The
primary objective of the project is to develop clam aquaculture using sustainable practice.
It is highly unlikely that this project will result in the development of technologies that
will have negative environmental impacts.
Gender and Social Issue

Clam aquaculture is a family or household activity in the coastal area of Vietnam.
Women undertake 50-60% of the work including husbandry, harvesting and marketing.
The tidal and pond clam aquaculture development increased income for households
(Refer to MS 13 - Project Validation Report). Development of clam aquaculture also
increase the opportunity of employment and associated with development of local
infrastructure (Refer to MS 13).
The technological and socioeconomic study conducted by project team indicated that
farmers received low prices for clam due to exploitation by middle men. Cooperatives
need to play a major role in marketing the clams.
Study further confirmed that prawn and clam culture systems are seen as the backbone of
the coastal community. Clam culture is making more profit than prawn culture because of
less capital cost as well as reducing risk.
Implications on other project
Findings from this project provides valuable information for developing strategic plan
and guidelines for coastal aquaculture development in the region.

21


7 Implementation and Sustainability Issues
Issues and Constraints
The implementation of the project has been complicated by the movement of staff. These
problems have been overcome by accessing the services of other personnel or in some cases
increasing the time commitments of nominated staff.

7.1 Options
Project implementation was carried out strictly following the project design. However,
natural calamity (storm and heavy rain) affected final part (demonstration) of the project.
With 6 months extension time provided by CARD administration, all activities were
successfully completed.

7.2 Sustainability
No major issue identified.

8 Next critical steps
The next steps are:
(1) To ensure the dissemination of the results and findings to the full range of
stakeholders and partners, especially poor coastal communities in the North Central
of Vietnam
(2) Extend the model of on farm trials, which involved the effective engagements of
coastal farmers in the trials to other provinces.
(3) Publish the results of the on farm trials in aquaculture magazines and journals as a
case study of evidence-based and participatory research in aquaculture.
(4) There is great potential for further development of clam culture in ponds. Calm
culture in ponds is a new concept introduced by this project. Following additional
research will yield great benefits and expansion in coastal aquaculture these include:

a) Clam culture with compatible fish species has shown good potential.
Preliminary investigations demonstrated great potential for clam fish
polyculture development.
b) Clam culture with other bivalves such as oysters and mussel culture. Clam is a
bottom dwelling species. However, mussel and oyster live in the water
column attached to substrate. Therefore this type of polyculture could be
efficient in terms of productivity.
c) Integrated clam culture with other aquaculture species should be researched
and improved on to take advantage of the clam’s natural filtering abilities to
process waste water in an aquaculture culture systems.

22

d) Process of nursing clam seed from juvenile to stocking size in the pond should
be further improved and implemented. The current technique which is being
followed by Thanh Hoa province has provided very good results.
(5)It was clear from the survey that calm farmers are not receiving an appropriate price
due to lack of organized marketing. Therefore their is a strong need for establishing
an improved marketing campaign to further establish clams in the market place and
increasing their demand and the price paid to clam farmers.

9 Conclusion
Performance of this project has been excellent and almost all objectives established for
the project have been met or exceeded. This project played a key role in establishing a
sustainable clam industry in the coastal area of North central Vietnam. Establishment of
this new clam industry has provided a new lease of life in the coastal aquaculture sector,
which has slowed down due to disease and environmental issues associated with
unplanned development of prawn farming.

10 Statutory Declaration
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, hereby declare that during the period April/2006 to
December/2009, delivered the following inputs to assist in implementation of the above
project.
1: PERSONNEL INPUTS

SARDI

Australian Personnel
Provided (Name)
Dr Martin S Kumar
Dr Bannan Chen
Mr Raymond Tham
Br Babu Santhanam
Other Australian Staff in
collecting references and
assisting with literature review:
Belinda Rodda, Sandy Wyatt
Total

Days in Vietnam
108
10
10
10

138

Days in
Australia
70
20
25
25
30

Trips to
Vietnam

10
1
1
1

170

13

23


ARSINC
A total of 4956 working days for different activities of project details are provided in the
table below
Table 1: List of staff and their working days
Name of staff
Total
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.

13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.

Mr. Chu Chi Thiet
Mr. Nhu Van Can
Ms. Nguyen Thi Mai
Mr. Nguyen Xuan
Tinh
Mr. Nguyen Van
Hoang
Mr. Le Thanh Ghi
Mr. Le Van Dung
Mr. Nguyen Ba Luong
Mr. Le Anh Tuan
Mr. Tran Viet Tuan
Ms. Le Thi Huyen
Mr. Mai Va Ha
Ms. Le Thi May
Mr.Le Van Khoi
Mr.Ha Duc Thang
Ms Nguyen Thi Hanh
Ms Le Thi Tinh
Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy
Mr. Le Duc Giang
Total

693
252
252
420
420
693
525
693
420
210
210
63
105
63
63
210
441
315
126
4956

24


EQUIPMENT AND OTHER SERVICES
Equipment and other services description

Budged limited (A$)

LCD Multimedia Projector, laptop, desktop and printer
Cement and composites tanks for hatchery
Micro filters, mesh, pumps and aerators for hatchery
Water quality measurement kids, DO meters
Operation cost (electricity, nutrients, disinfectants etc)
Materials for grow out
Others materials for hatchery and grow out
Workshops
Training course
In country study tours
Communications
Reporting Costs
Local Travel, Accommodation & DSA
Costs for office facilities and stationary for offices
Lease land for experiment
Production of extension materials
Survey and Data analysis
Other costs
TOTAL

Signed for the Australian Institution by o
duly authorise officer in the presence of
witness

Signature of Witness

Dr Martin S Kumar
Project Leader

9,754

10,422
3,616
4,521
28,129
22,924
10,208
11,351
7,885
3,749
2,387
7,500
18,647
23,815
3,390
4,921
8,500
1,011
182,730

Dr Miao, Zhihong
Senior Scientist

South Australian Research and Development
Institute (SARDI)

South Australian Research and
Development Institute (SARDI)

25