Báo cáo khoa học nông nghiệp " Improving traditional integrated farming systems (VAC) – a new livelihood option for poor farmers in the coastal communities " MS7 pptx

Table 1: Participant composition of the inception workshop in Hue 4th December, 2008 Extension officials Hue, Quang Tri, Quang Binh, Ha Tinh, Nghe an and Quang Nam 7 Provincial Aquacultu

Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development

Collaboration for Agriculture and Rural Development

PROJECT PROGRESS REPORT

027/07VIE:

Improving traditional integrated farming systems (VAC)

– a new livelihood option for poor farmers

in the coastal communities

MS7: Training and Competency Improvement report

June, 2010

Table of Contents

1 Institute Information _ 1 

2 Project Abstract _ 2 

3 Trainng/workshop _ 2 

4 Meetings _ 4 

5 Exchange visiting 6 

6 Training for two CEDMA staff in Australia _ 8 

7 Second beneficial approach activities _ 10 

8 Individual visits 11 

1 Institute Information

Project Name Improving traditional integrated farming systems (VAC)

- a new livelihood option for poor farmers in the coastal communities

Vietnamese Institution Centre for Environment and Disease Monitoring in

Aquaculture (CEDMA)

Vietnamese Project Team Leader Mr Mai Van Tai (Project director)

Mr Vo Van Binh (Project manager)

Australian Organisation Agriculture and Environment - Division of Science and

Engineering-Curtin University of Technology (CUT)

Australian Personnel Assoc Professor Ravi Fotedar (Team Leader)

Prof Graeme Robertson (Management)

Dr Jane Fewtrell (Environmental Scientist)

Mr Simon Longbottom (Aquaculture Scientist)

Completion date (original) January 2010

Completion date (revised) June 2010

Reporting period Training and Competency Improvement (MS#7)

Contact Officer(s)

In Australia: Team Leader

Position: International Program Director,

A/Prof

Organisation Muresk Institute, CUT Email: r.fotedar@curtin.edu.au

In Australia: Administrative contact

In Vietnam

Position: Head of environment Department Fax: 0241840241

Organisation Centre for Environment and

Disease Monitoring in Aquaculture (CEDMA)

Email: binhvanvo@yahoo.com

2 Project Abstract

3 Training/workshop

Workshop in Hue

The purpose of this workshop was to introduce a new concept to the improved VAC system This includes the introduction of earthworms to treat manure before release into ponds and gardens and the introduction of high valued species Introducing earthworms to the system has potential to increase the environmental sustainability of the system while high value aquatic species introduction plays an important role in generation and/or addition of income The number and background of workshop participants is shown in Table 1

Discussion focused on the feasibility of the model RAS in rural areas, where electricity is not always available, is the main bottle neck for adoption of this system However, in most cases, the adaptation and modification of the traditional VAC by applying a RAS is possible Conclusion: With increasing demand on aquatic production, the traditional VAC system requires modification to increase efficiency The improved VAC system can address this issue, but prior to installation the financial cost of set up and operation must be considered on

an individual basis

Table 1: Participant composition of the inception workshop in Hue (4th December, 2008)

Extension officials (Hue, Quang Tri, Quang Binh, Ha Tinh, Nghe an and Quang Nam) 7

Provincial Aquaculture Division (six project provinces) 6

This project is expected to make a significant contribution to the Government of Vietnam’s Comprehensive Poverty Reduction and Growth Strategy (CPRGS), which is aligned with the CARD program strategic framework The project is expected to improve the productivity of traditional VAC farming practices through the farming of high-value aquatic species and following better managed farming practices in an environmentally friendly manner The outcome

of the project will assist in improving the management of all components of VAC farming Project activities have included;

i) Surveys to collect base-line information on the economic status of farmers participating in traditional VAC farming systems in four selected districts of Vietnam

ii) Selection of twenty (20) demonstration sites, of which, 18 are completely operational The set

up includes semi-intensive culture systems based on recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) technologies and have been stocked with local, high-value species including snake head fish, grouper, frog, brackish water white eel and soft-shell turtle

iii) The operational plan for each site has been disseminated to local extension workers, the households of modified VAC systems and other interesting farming households

Figure 1: Photographs of discussion during the inception workshop in Hue

Training workshop in Quang tri

This workshop was for participants among project provinces including; Thanh Hoa, Nghe

An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh Quang Tri and Hue The workshop gave participants a forum to

discuss and share experiences, knowledge, skills and technology for introducing the RAS to

the traditional VAC system The development of new guidelines for the improved VAC

system was also discussed

Objectives of workshop:

The main objective of the training/workshop was to discuss;

i) issues with adoption of the improved VAC system

ii) advantages of the model in terms of environmental sustainability and economic

aspects

iii) continuation and dissemination of technology subsequent to project conclusion

The participants included aquaculture extension officers from provincial, district and

commune levels and farmers (Table 2)

Conclusion:

Extension staff agreed that the improved VAC systems installed at the demonstration sites

proved to be beneficial, both economically and environmentally and that they will adopt the

model into their national program

The training/workshop met the expectations of the extension workers and farmers

Table 2: Participant composition of the training/workshop in Quang Tri (6-8th April 2010)

Farmers 12

Agriculture and RD staff from each province 2

Research Institute for Aquaculture No1staff 6

Research Extension staff stationed in North-Mid- Provinces 5

Figure 2: Photographs from the workshop in Quang Tri and the subsequent visit to a demonstration site

4 Meetings

Meetings in Ha tinh

In this province, there are 4 demonstration sites The species cultured at each site are;

i) grouper (rearing),

ii) white eel larvae,

iii) snake head fish in tanks, and

iv) turtle together with snake head fish in tanks

A total of 41 farmers participated in these meetings, contributing to the development of the model

These meetings have provided the opportunity at each stage of system construction for farmers on demonstration sites to approach project staff and discuss aspects of the adoption

of the improved VAC system that should be considered and modifications that have the potential to improve system efficiency while minimizing costs

Figure 3: Photographs of training activities in Ha Tinh

Meetings in Nghe An

There are 2 demonstration sites in this province One site was developed in 2008 for eel

(Anguilla macmorata) culture, however, it is now used for snake-head fish culture

The meetings were designed for farmers in the village in which the demonstration sites were situated The meetings included 30 participants, of which 2 were leaders of the village, 2 extension staff and the remainder were farmers

The outcomes from the meetings included that there be an emphasis on minimizing the financial investment from farmers for the construction and operation of the improved VAC system Also, it was recommended that species such as eel might not be suitable for culture

in the improved VAC system due to the relatively long period of time taken to reach marketable size (ie 24 months)

Meeting in Thanh Hoa

Discussions were held in Thanh Hoa on the expansion of the improved VAC system at the demonstration site (Mr Thu) to include earthworm culture and snakehead fish in cages and tanks A meeting has been organized to take place on completion of the expansion The participants will include 16 farmers and commune leaders

Discussion also included the implementation of a plan for many of the farmers in this province to include snakehead fish in their VAC systems despite it being winter

Figure 4: Group discussion in Quang Xuong Thanh Hoa on expanding the improved VAC model at the demonstration site

Exchange visits that included farmers from demonstration sites and other farmers interested

in learning more about the improved systems were an important learning tool The visits provided the opportunity to discuss issues and experiences with construction and operation of the improved VAC system These visits were organised and conducted both within each province and between different provinces While visits between provinces were time consuming to organise and implement, they provided farmers with valuable information on a diverse range of issues and ideas that could be applicable to their situation

Under the supervision of CEDMA staff, local extension officers were given the opportunity

to coordinate and lead exchange visits Details of the exchange visits to date are;

9 Within provinces;

• seven exchange visits (each province has 1 visit, especially Quang Tri had 2 visit)

• 16 participants in Hue, 60 participants in Quang Tri, 16 participants in Ha Tinh,

30 participants in Nghe An, and 85 participants in Thanh Hoa

9 Between provinces;

• Three exchange visit

• 16 participants (8 famers and 8 extension staff) each province selected to gather into three group to visit demonstration from other provinces

Exchange visit in Hue

• Purpose of the exchange

- Knowledge transfer to end users (ie farmers involved with the project, farmers interested in being involves and extension staff)

- Encourage the link between farmers on sites with common elements and could therefore, benefit from each other’s knowledge and experiences

- To give extension staff an opportunity to organize the extension activity, providing them with experience that will enable them to continue organising and implementing these activities without supervision after the completion of the project

• Address of the visit

- All project sites

- Developed aquaculture sites from which farmers can learn relevant methods and technologies for possible adoption in their improved VAC

• Participants

- Farmers involved in the project and farmers not involved but who were interested

in developing and using the technology shown at the project sites

- Leaders of the communes (Chairman, Head of Agriculture Division, and Leader

of Farmer Union)

- Extension staff

- Provincial Aquaculture Division staff

Figure 5: Photographs of exchange visit activities in Hue province

Exchange visit in Quang Tri

• Purpose of the visit

- The system at the demonstration site in Quang Tri has successfully cultured snake-head fish in tanks This knowledge gives farmers who do not have fish ponds the potential to generate new income from aquaculture in tanks Thus, project staff encouraged farmers in the area to visit demonstration site

- Farmers learn through observation directly, and in turn they can apply the technology to their farms

• Sites to be visited

- Two project demonstration sites

- Frog culture in Quang Tri

• Participants

- Farmers who want to adopt the improved VAC system

- Provincial, district and commune extension staff

- Leaders of communes

• Achievements:

- Knowledge gained by farmers during the demonstration visits

- Creating a relationship between farmers and extension staff

Figure 6: Photographs of visiting two demonstration sites and other developed

aquaculture systems in Quang Tri

6 Training for two CEDMA staff in Australia

Duration: The training in Australia took place between February 13th to March 8th 2010

Venue: Curtin University, Perth, Australia

Purpose: Consolidation and implementation of project data and information

Trainees: Mr Vo Van Binh, project manager (Head of Environment Department, CEDMA)

and Mr Dao Van Phu, project staff (staff of Environment Department, CEDMA)

The training was successful, the trainees acquired knowledge and skills that will prove useful

in future projects The itinerary of the training visit is shown in Table 3

Table 3: Itinerary of CEDMA staff training visit to Australia

Feb 24th Arrived Perth Introduction of Curtin Visit the lab at Curtin

Feb 25th Curtin University Discussion of project

Data consolidation Feb 26th Farm visit in Busselton Farm visit: Crayfish culture

and business

Feb 27th Busselton Farm visit: Crayfish culture

and business

How Crayfish are exported to Singapore

Feb 28th Bridgetown Farm visit

March 1th Bridgetown Hester dam visit Water quality

management for a newly dam established

March 2 Curtin University Discussion of project

Data consolidation March 3th Curtin University Water quality management

(practices)

Improve analysis skill for visit staff

consideration in a hatchery

Western Australia March 6th Perth Shopping/preparation to leave

for Vietnam March 7th Back to Vietnam

Figure 7: Photographs of visit to a hatchery in Fremantle (Challenger TAFE) to learn water quality management for newly hatched fish species

Figure 8: Learning water quality analysis and interpretation of the results in the CARL laboratories at Curtin University

7 Secondary beneficiary activities

During the implementation of the demonstrations, there were meetings with farmers who were not part of the project but had visited the demonstration sites and wanted to apply the technology of the improved VAC to their facilities For example, at least four farmers that visited the snake-head demonstration site in Thanh Hoa used the technology and methods shown to prepare ponds and earthworm houses on their farms (winter) Early in summer (2010) they stocked worms into the earthworm houses and snake-head fingerlings into the cages and tanks

Table 4 lists the current secondary beneficiaries of the introduced technology and their activities

Table 4: Current second beneficiaries of the project

Thanh Hoa

Thanh Hoa

Snake-head in tanks and cages

Thanh Hoa

Snake-head in tanks and cages

Thanh Hoa

Snake-head in tanks and cages

Ms Phuong (Extension staff) 23 Phan Boi Chau, Thanh

Hoa town

Proposal of Improved VAC for Farmers in Thanh Hoa

Nghe An

Mr Ta Van Hop Quynh Lap, Quynh Luu,

Nghe An

Earthworm + Snake head in tanks

Mr Ho Van Luong Quynh Lap, Quynh Luu,

Nghe An

Earthworm + Snake head in tanks

Mr Truong Quang Trat Quynh Lap, Quynh Luu,

Nghe An

Earthworm + Snake head in tanks

Mr Nguyen Van Tong Quynh Lap, Quynh Luu,

Nghe An

Snake head in tanks

Mr Nguyen Duc Hoa Quynh Lap, Quynh Luu,

Nghe An

Snake head in tanks

Mr Nguyen Sy Linh relative Thanh Cat, Thanh Chuong Earthworm Business

Ha Tinh

Nguyen Van Thuong Thach Ha town Earthworm + snake head fish

Ms Nguyen thi Dieu Thanh Ha town Writing proposal of

improved VAC (already accepted)

Mr Nguyen Viet Nhat

(Business promotion, Thach

Ha)

Thach Ha Town Use Mr Huy demonstration

as extension material (video and visiting place)

Quang Binh

Agriculture new-paper Quang Binh Use Mr Tuan hatchery as

material for an extension article

Quang Tri

Mr Tung (Vice Director, Quang Tri Extension Centre Use Mr Thieu and Mr Sinh