Báo cáo giai đoạn: Improving traditional integrated farming systems (VAC) – a new livelihood option for poor farmers in the coastal communities (MS8)

Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development Collaboration for Agriculture and Rural Development CARD PROJECT PROGRESS REPORT 027/07VIE: Improving traditional integrated farming systems (VAC) – a new livelihood option for poor farmers in the coastal communities MS8: Project Completion Report 5th February 2008 to 18th June 2010 July, 2010 1 Table of Contents 1. Institute Information ___________________________________________________ 1 2. Project Abstract _______________________________________________________ 2 3. Executive Summary ____________________________________________________ 2 4. Introduction & Background _____________________________________________ 4 5. Progress to Date_______________________________________________________ 5 5.1 Implementation Highlights ________________________________________________ 5 5.2 Smallholder Benefits______________________________________________________ 5 5.3 Capacity Building ________________________________________________________ 6 5.4 Publicity________________________________________________________________ 6 5.5 Project Management _____________________________________________________ 6 6. Report on Cross-Cutting Issues___________________________________________ 6 6.1 Environment ____________________________________________________________ 6 6.2 Gender and Social Issues __________________________________________________ 6 7. Implementation & Sustainability Issues____________________________________ 6 7.1 Issues and Constraints ____________________________________________________ 6 7.2 Options_________________________________________________________________ 7 7.3 Sustainability____________________________________________________________ 7 8. Next Critical Steps _____________________________________________________ 7 9. Conclusion ___________________________________________________________ 7 10. Statutory Declaration___________________________Error! Bookmark not defined. 2 1. Institute Information Project Name Vietnamese Institution Vietnamese Project Team Leader Improving traditional integrated farming systems (VAC) - a new livelihood option for poor farmers in the coastal communities Centre for Environment and Disease Monitoring in Aquaculture (CEDMA) 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 Date commenced Completion date (original) Completion date (revised) Reporting period Assoc. Professor Ravi Fotedar (Team Leader) Prof. Graeme Robertson (Management) Dr. Jane Fewtrell (Environmental Scientist) Mr. Simon Longbottom (Aquaculture Scientist) 8th February 2009 January 2010 June 2010 Project completion report Contact Officer(s) In Australia: Team Leader Name: Position: Organisation Dr Ravi Fotedar International Program Director, A/Prof Muresk Institute, CUT Telephone: Fax: Email: +61 8 92664508 +61 8 92664422 r.fotedar@curtin.edu.au In Australia: Administrative contact Name: Position: Organisation In Vietnam Name: Position: Organisation As mentioned above Mr Vo Van Binh Head of environment Department Centre for Environment and Disease Monitoring in Aquaculture (CEDMA) Telephone: Fax: Email: Telephone: Fax: Email: 0983105537 0241840241 binhvanvo@yahoo.com 1 2. Project Abstract 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 that 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. To date, all project objectives have been successfully implemented, some exceeding expectations. The results of the social – economic analysis indicate that the modified VAC systems installed at demonstration sites resulted in an increase in income and better environmental conditions when compared with those of the original systems. 3. Executive Summary To achieve the goals of the project that is improving the income base to sustain livelihoods of poor coastal farmers in Central Vietnam through environmentally sustainable aquaculture , background information and data was collected in the provinces of; Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh and Quang Tri. From the information gained through this information, 18 farms were selected to demonstrate new technology, which included earthworm culture to minimize pollution risk from husbandry wastes by making efficiently recycling materials within the VAC system, and the introduction of high value species to increase income. The operational plan for each modified site has been disseminated to local extension workers, the households of modified VAC systems and other interested farming households. Socio – economic analysis of the traditional VAC community has shown that the education levels of farmers is low, possibly leading to difficulty in approaching new technology. For example, a survey of 109 families showed that 29% of individuals completed secondary school (ie can read, write and basic calculation; but poor performance of basic analysis), 58% were attended primary school only (ie. can read and write; but poor in calculation), and up to 13 % were illiterate. Fifty eight percent of farms surveyed were involved in integrated fish farming, including fish pond/s, horticulture and terrestrial animal husbandry, while 58% of farms were without fish ponds. Different types of farming and provinces lead to the various investment and income. The average income from aquaculture was about VND million 3.859, whereas terrestrial animal husbandry and horticulture were VND million 7.538 and 3.688, respectively. After the results of the survey to acquire background information on the areas were analyzed, new or modified VAC systems were built on demonstration sites that were based on the modification and adaptation of current integrated systems. The new systems included the introduction of earthworm culture into the system and high value species. There were 3 demonstration farms built in the first year (in 2008) of the project (2 in Quang Tri and 1 in 2 Nghe An province) and the rest were built in the second year (2009) (3 in Hue, 3 in Quang Binh, 4 in Ha Tinh, 1 in Nghe An, and 4 in Thanh Hoa). See Appendix 1 for the final economic analysis summary. Six high value aquatic species were introduced into integrated systems that is, snake head fish (in 8 demonstration sites), frog (in 3 sites), soft-shell turtle (in 2 sites), grouper fingerlings (in 2 sites), white eel and goby (in 1 sites each). In addition, a hatchery which can produce grass carp, silver carp and common carp larvae has been included in a demonstration site in Quang Binh. It was found that snake head fish in tanks resulted in higher economic return and were more suitable for farms situated in Central provinces than other species such as turtle and frog. In addition, it was found that collecting grouper fry from rivers and rearing them to fingerlings has potential to generate income. However, to successfully rear the grouper, farmers must acquire higher skills in aquaculture techniques. It cannot be expected that the farmers can acquire the necessary level of skill within the time limits of this project (ie. 2 years) (Appendix 2). During project implementation, there were two training/workshops carried out in Hue and in Quang Tri provinces. The first workshop was to introduce the concept proposed in the project, discussing the alternative modification and adaptation for feasibility of successful demonstration. There second training/workshop was to disseminate information and expand on the improved VAC model with information gained from local extension, interested farmers. Exchange visits presented an efficient way for farmers to learn and applythe new technology. The visits gave opportunities for interested persons to achieve the goal of modifying their system just by “mimicking” what other farmers do. The exchange visits were implemented in 2 levels, that is, within province and inter-provinces. Seven trips within provinces were organized for more than 200 farmers that were both involved and not involved in the project. Three trips were conducted for 16 farmers in each province to visit other provincial demonstrations. A series of formal meetings amongst farmers operating demonstration sites and farmers interested in incorporating aspects of the new VAC system into their existing system were successfully conducted. Also, each visit to demonstration sites conducted by CEDMA’s staff, was used as an opportunity to share knowledge and skills for making further modifications in the management and/or design of the system to adapt the new technology. So far, the project has produced a number of significant benefits to integrated farming methods. Some notable examples are; • In Thanh Hoa province, one farmer involved in the project has successfully cultured worms for his snakehead fish in tanks and cages. All manure from his pigs and chickens has been used as a food source for the worm culture instead of being allowed to flow into his pond therefore reducing the organic load on his pond. The changes have resulted in a significant income being generated which has been recognized by neighboring farmers and local authorities. This year the farmer has been able to use the RAS from the project to nurse fingerlings and then use the fingerlings o stock his grow out tanks and cages. He has also provided 17 other farmers with fingerlings from his new RAS system. Together with this, local authorities have realized the potential of the model and thus planed to support farmers in the commune to participate in training and applying the technology used in this system. 3 ... - tailieumienphi.vn