Báo cáo nghiên cứu khoa học " Better Breeds of Common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) for Small-scale Fish Farmers - MS6 " pdf

Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development

CARD Project Progress Report




004/04VIE: Better Breeds of Common carp
(Cyprinus carpio L.) for Small-scale Fish Farmers






MS6: SECOND SIX-MONTHLY REPORT












January 12, 2006

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1. Institute Information
Project Name
Better Breeds of Common carp (Cyprinus
carpio L.) for Small-scale Fish Farmers
Vietnamese Institution
Research Institute for Aquaculture No. 1
Vietnamese Project Team Leader
Dr Tuan Anh Pham
Australian Organisation
Deakin University
Australian Personnel
Dr Chris Austin
Date commenced
8 March, 2005
Completion date (original)
30 January 2007
Completion date (revised)
28 February 2007
Reporting period
Second Six Monthly

Contact Officer(s)
In Australia: Team Leader
Name:
Dr Chris Austin
Telephone:
08 8946 7276
Position:
Professor/HOS

Fax:
08 8946 6151
Organisation
Charles Darwin University
Email:


In Australia: Administrative contact
Name:
Dr Jenny Carter
Telephone:
08 8946 6708
Position:
Manager Research
Fax:
08 8946 7199
Organisation
Charles Darwin University
Email:



2. Project Abstract
Increased inland fish production is a high priority for the Government of Vietnam
particularly in the context of rural development in relation to food security, poverty
alleviation and income generation. This project aims to assist the continued development of
genetically improved common carp breeds, the effective dissemination of these breeds from
central research institutes to provincial hatcheries for distributions to small scale farmers and
further development of research capacity in genetics in relation to selective breeding and
brood-stock management. Excellent progress has been made with in the first six months of

this project. Almost all inputs have been achieved and all milestones have been met or
exceeded. A questionnaire to investigate and document fish breeding practices and assess
knowledge levels has been developed, tested, refined and ~100 stakeholders interviewed.
Over fifty populations of carp have been sampled from research stations, provincial
hatcheries, private hatcheries farmers and wild populations. Two workshops were conducted

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in May, one for hatchery personnel and farmers and one for young scientists. Laboratory
equipment has been purchased and is being used for research and training.

3. Executive Summary
Excellent progress has been made with this project. The project commenced 8
th
March, 2005
and almost all inputs have been achieved and all milestones have been met or exceeded that
were planned for the second six months. The questionnaire designed to reveal and document
fish breeding practices and assess knowledge levels among farmers and hatchery personnel
has been used as the basis for the interviewing of 133 stakeholders from 21 provinces.
Preliminary summaries and analyses of the data have been undertaken. Sampling of carp
populations has been completed with tissues sample taken from over 2000 individuals
representing sixty populations of common carp from research stations, provincial hatcheries,
private hatcheries, markets and from fish farmers through out Vietnam and DNA genotyping
has been completed for 20 populations and is ongoing. These preliminary results reveal
interesting insights into the effects of inbreeding and dissemination of genetically improved
strains and have been submitted for publication in the journal Aquaculture. Technical
training for 2 young Vietnamese scientists in Australia has been carried out in November and
December, 2005.
4. Introduction & Background
The general aim of this project is to identify better breeds of common carp and increase the
utilisation of such fish by small-scale farmers as means of increasing yields and lowering

costs, and thereby contributing significantly to poverty alleviation and income generation for
communities heavily dependent on fish aquaculture for livelihoods and food security.
Common carp was chosen as the target species as it is the most important cultured fish
species in Vietnam (approximately 20,000 metric tons produced per year) with a very large
number of people, including those in low income regions (e.g. highlands) and ethnic
minorities, dependent upon it for food security and income. Further, the Vietnamese
Government has in the past, and continues to invest significant resources into the production
and dissemination of genetically improved breeds of this species, and there is significant
local expertise in the area of genetics and breeding (e.g. staff of the Research Institute for
Aquaculture No. 1).
The specific objectives of this project are to: (1) document current fish breeding and brood-
stock management practices in relation to the selection and maintenance of genetically
improved common carp breeds at the institutional, hatchery (provincial and private) and
small-scale farm levels; to assess knowledge levels relating to fish breeds and selection of
seed stock by small scale farmers; (2) determine genotypic and phenotypic diversity among
common carp genetic resources (breeds), both wild and domesticated, available for
aquaculture within Vietnam and examine the success of dissemination of genetically
improved breeds to small scale farmers; (3) increase success and efficiency of common carp
breeding, broodstock management and seed stock production by small scale farmers and
hatchery personnel; (4) increase capacity of young researchers and technicians to contribute
to research and development in the fields of genetics of broodstock management, molecular
genetics and fish genetic improvement; and (5) To demonstrate to farmers, on farm, the
advantages of using genetically improved breeds of carp.


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The approach adopted for this project involves a novel combination of traditional and
modern methods. Thus the understanding of common carp genetic resources in Vietnam and
the success of the dissemination of genetically improved breeds to small-scale farmers will
be based on the use of modern (molecular genetic) and traditional phenotypic

(morphological, pond growth trials) approaches, and through demonstration (by stocking
improved fish breeds into farmers ponds) and by interviewing stakeholders. Also a more ‘de-
centralised’ approach to both understanding carp genetic resources will be taken using
comprehensive geographic sampling of domesticated and wild populations and through
capacity building for provincial hatcheries (via training programs) to enable better brood-
stock management and improve fish breeding.
5. Progress to Date
5.1 Implementation Highlights
The principal achievements for the reporting period have been:
(1) the successful training of two young scientists from the Research Institute for
Aquaculture No. 1, at Deakin University in advanced genetic technologies and
statistical procedures
(2) the interviewing of 133 farmers and hatchery personnel to determine knowledge
levels relating to fish breeding and genetic improvement and common carp breeding
practises by small scale fish farmers and hatchery personnel. Preliminary analysis
and summary of data completed.
(3) sampling and genotyping of common carp populations obtained from throughout
Vietnam which has exceeded expectations
5.2 Smallholder Benefits
The most direct benefits to small-scale fish farmers to date have been through the workshops
run at the Research Institute for Aquaculture No. 1 for fish farmers, hatchery personnel and
the interviewing of small scale farmers in relation to the documentation of current fish
breeding and brood stock management practices.
5.3 Capacity Building
A contribution to capacity building at the institutional level has been made through the
advanced training programs delivered to two young scientists at Deakin University.

5.4 Publicity
None to date.
5.5 Project Management

Management of the project as been effective.


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6. Report on Cross-Cutting Issues
6.1 Environment
No issues.
6.2 Gender and Social Issues
The two young scientists trained at Deakin represented each gender.
7. Implementation & Sustainability Issues
7.1 Issues and Constraints
The implementation of the project has been complicated by the movement of staff and
unanticipated demands from other projects for the Australian partner. These problems have
been overcome by accessing the services of other personnel or in some cases increasing the
time commitments of nominated staff.

The Australian Leader, Austin has now taken up his new position as Professor and Head of
School of Science and Primary Industries at Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Australia.
Letters of Agreement to transfer the project from Deakin to Charles Darwin University are in
process.
7.2 Options
Charles Darwin University has advertised for a Research Fellow in Genetics and an
appointment is expected to be made in the next month. This person will be able to support Dr
Austin’s research program in aquaculture and fish and invertebrate genetics including this
project.
7.3 Sustainability
No major issues other than those indicated above.
8. Next Critical Steps
The next steps are:

(1) Complete the genotyping of carp and analysis of DNA data
(2) Preparation of notes for farmer workshop
(3) Workshop for farmers
(4) Technical training in Australia II
(5) Identify farmers for on-farm trail of improved carp
(6) Breeding of carp for on-farm demonstrations
(7) Raising of fingerlings
(8) Stocking of fingerlings into ponds and grown

There are no major constraints envisaged to objectives as outlined.

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The only other additional step is to complete the transfer the project from Deakin
University to Charles Darwin University.
9. Conclusion
Progress of this project has been highly satisfactory and all objectives established for the
second 6 month period have been met or exceeded.

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